From Pain to Pleasure
Chronic vulvar pain impacts millions of women of all ages around the world, robbing them of their most innate and intimate experiences. While some have been well served by our healthcare systems, many of those who suffer do so in silence. Unfortunately, all too many of those brave enough to reach out for help (often to multiple providers) have been told “there's nothing wrong” with them, they just “need to relax or have a glass of wine” if they want to use tampons or have sex, or, worst of all, maybe “it's just all in their heads” with a quick suggestion of trying drugs as the solution. According to the literature, those who have been fortunate enough to eliminate the pain of provoked vestibulodynia with either cognitive behavioral therapy, surgery, or physiotherapy never reach the same peak of sexual function as their non-pain peers. That's just not very fair. They desperately need our compassion, empathy, understanding, and, most of all, our assistance.
If you currently treat this population or not, know that women's health physios are, far and away, the best partnered providers to help women strategize to find their way to healing and regaining pleasure throughout their lives. This one-day Masterclass will begin with a review of vulvar pain generators across the lifecycle, ranging from pain with first vulvar touch as a pre-teen or teenager to discomfort caused by the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Following an in-depth review of pertinent anatomy and function related to pain, suggested ideas for assessment and treatment will be reviewed and discussed. As a last step in our care for women with pain will be a complete overview of sexual anatomy and function. Included will be an updated review of anatomy and function of the clitoral complex, overview of current knowledge on the physiological response of the pelvic floor muscles throughout arousal and orgasm, and complete perspective on the interplay of sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. You'll learn how sensuality and sexuality interact to help guide women of any age to the pleasure they all deserve. Ample time will be allowed for questions and discussion.
If you currently treat this population or not, know that women's health physios are, far and away, the best partnered providers to help women strategize to find their way to healing and regaining pleasure throughout their lives. This one-day Masterclass will begin with a review of vulvar pain generators across the lifecycle, ranging from pain with first vulvar touch as a pre-teen or teenager to discomfort caused by the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Following an in-depth review of pertinent anatomy and function related to pain, suggested ideas for assessment and treatment will be reviewed and discussed. As a last step in our care for women with pain will be a complete overview of sexual anatomy and function. Included will be an updated review of anatomy and function of the clitoral complex, overview of current knowledge on the physiological response of the pelvic floor muscles throughout arousal and orgasm, and complete perspective on the interplay of sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. You'll learn how sensuality and sexuality interact to help guide women of any age to the pleasure they all deserve. Ample time will be allowed for questions and discussion.
This is a face to face event only
Presenters
Dee Hartmann
Dee earned a degree in physical therapy from Northwestern Medical School of Physical Therapy followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St Ambrose University. As part of her participation in American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) Section on Women's Health, Dee served as the originating chairman of the task force responsible for creating the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic). She also served on the Vulvar Pain Task Force and co-authored their findings.A pioneer in her field, Dee is or has been a member, fellow, president, and board director for a vast array of organizations dedicated to women's sexual health and pelvic pain, including the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the Interational Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Her research and findings are widely published in journals and books, and she has been a lecturer and instructor at numerous schools, universities, workshops, and conferences around the world.As a sole practitioner in the Chicago metro area for over 27 years, Dee used a functional perspective to help patients decrease pelvic pain and restore health. After closing her clinical practice in 2017, she co-founded the Center for Genital Health and Education, where she continues to develop research on sexual pain with business partner Elizabeth Wood. With an added focus on pleasure, Dee brings much needed, progressive insight into educating people through www.VulvaLove as well as www.PleasureMovement.com. She and Elizabeth co-authored the book, The Pleasure Prescription: A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain written to help women find a path from pain to pleasure. Dee is happily married to the love of her life, is the mother of 5 wonderful, grown children, and Gramma to 9 glorious grandchildren.
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