Nov 30

Nov 30 Empowering Women: The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health with MaryEllen Reider

Guest Expert Insights, Healing Practices, Integrative Treatments, Menopause, Midlife Empowerment, Podcast Episodes, Welness, Women's Health, Women's Hormonal Health

Pelvic floor health is one of the most essential — yet most overlooked — foundations of women’s wellness. For decades, conversations around bladder control, sexual function, and postpartum recovery were whispered (if they happened at all). Today, thanks to innovative leaders like MaryEllen Reider, co-founder of Yarlap, this stigma is finally dissolving.

In a recent episode of Soma Says, MaryEllen joined me to shine a light on pelvic health and discuss how Yarlap is helping women strengthen their pelvic floor from the inside out. Our conversation ranged from urinary incontinence and menopause to sexual wellness and cutting-edge devices designed to support women at every life stage.

Below is a deeper look at what we discussed — and why pelvic floor health deserves to be part of every woman’s wellness conversation.

⭐ Why Pelvic Floor Health Is a Critical Women’s Health Issue

Pelvic floor dysfunction impacts 1 in 3 women, especially those in their 40s, 50s, postpartum, or menopausal years. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and uterus — and when they weaken, women may experience:

Urinary leakage
Urgency or frequency
Core instability
Back or pelvic pain
Reduced sexual satisfaction

As an internist, I’ve seen more women open up about bladder control issues as they navigate perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal shifts — specifically estrogen decline — play a massive role in pelvic tissue integrity.

But the biggest problem?
Most women aren’t taught how to strengthen their pelvic floor correctly.

Enter Yarlap.

⭐ The Yarlap Device: Strengthening the Pelvic Floor the Right Way

Yarlap is an FDA-cleared device designed to perform Kegel exercises correctly on behalf of the user — eliminating the guesswork around a notoriously misunderstood exercise.

MaryEllen explained that Kegels are often done incorrectly, which is why many women see no improvement even after months of effort. Yarlap uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to guide the muscles through proper contractions.

✔ How Yarlap Works

A small PC stimulator (inserted like a tampon) connects to a handheld control unit.
Gentle electrical signals trigger precise pelvic contractions.
The device turns off automatically after each session.
No app. No data collection. Total privacy.

Women describe the sensation as a firm, rhythmic muscle engagement — not painful, just effective.

⭐ Who Can Benefit from Yarlap?

MaryEllen emphasizes that Yarlap helps a wide variety of women:

Postpartum Women

To rebuild muscle tone after childbirth.

Women in Menopause

As estrogen decreases, pelvic muscles weaken — making strengthening essential.

Athletes and Highly Active Women

High-intensity exercise can strain the pelvic floor.

Women with Stress, Urge, or Mixed Incontinence

Because Yarlap is FDA-cleared for multiple types of incontinence, it supports a broad range of symptoms.

A major theme from our conversation:
Urinary incontinence is NOT something women should simply accept as “part of aging.”

And Yarlap is part of breaking that myth wide open.

⭐ Real Women, Real Results

Some of the most compelling moments from MaryEllen’s interview were the personal stories:

✨ An 80-year-old woman regained bladder control and improved sexual wellness — leading to renewed confidence and connection.
✨ A frequent traveler used Yarlap to reduce urgency, finally enjoying her vacations without constant bathroom anxiety.
✨ Women shared how Yarlap helped them return to exercise, intimacy, and daily life without embarrassment.

Pelvic floor health isn’t just about bladder control — it’s about freedom, confidence, and quality of life.

⭐ A New Era of Women’s Health

Pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable.
Incontinence is treatable.
Sexual discomfort is treatable.

MaryEllen and I both agree:
The more openly we discuss pelvic health, the more women can get the help they deserve.

If you’re experiencing leaks, urgency, or pelvic discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider — and explore tools like Yarlap that offer safe, evidence-based support.

✨ Yarlap devices are eligible for FSA and HSA.
Learn more at yarlap.com.

Let’s normalize pelvic health conversations and empower women to reclaim their strength from the inside out.