On this episode, Michelle and Dr. Nucelio Lemos chat about Neuropelveology and how it is a new concept in medicine that is not yet a subspecialty because it is still developing. Neuropelveology is bringing together the concept of gynecologic laparoscopy, with concept with peripheral neural surgery to approach conditions that affect the intrapelvic portions (within the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen between the hip bones) of the lumbosacral plexus. Dr. Lemos did his medical training and postgraduate training in gynecology, urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, as well as a PhD in Gynecology. He then attended a Fellowship in Pelvic Neurodysfunctions by the International School of Neuropelveology in Zurich, Switzerland. He is currently the Chairman of the Scientific and Education Committee of the Latin American Pelvic Floor Association (ALAPP). He is also a Founding Member of the International Society of Neuropelveology and the Director of the School of Pelvic Pain of the International Continence Society Institute. In 2017 he made his way to Canada where he was appointed Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he currently is creating the Pelvic Functional Surgery and Neuropelveology Clinic at Mount Sinai and Women’s College Hospitals in Toronto, Canada.

Living with chronic pelvic pain can be complex and today, Michelle and Dr. Tania Di Renna discuss the diagnosis and management and how trauma informed care is an important lens to look through when treating pelvic pain patients. Dr. Di Renna is the Medical Director for the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute at Women’s College Hospital, also known as TAPMI. TAPMI is a comprehensive interdisciplinary academic pain program that is the hub for chronic pain patient care in Toronto. Before TAPMI, Dr. Di Renna was the Medical Director of Pain Management at the Ottawa Hospital. During her time in Ottawa, she created three multidisciplinary pain clinics with various medical and surgical specialties. One of those clinics was Ontario’s first Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic with Canadian minimally invasive surgeon and endometriosis specialist, Dr. Sony Singh. Michelle's hope is that you take some valuable information from this episode and apply it in one way or another to improve your quality of life while living with persistent pelvic pain. Links from episode: www.tapmipain.ca www.liveplanbeplus.ca

Dr. Ashley Girard and I discuss Hiprex in regards to chronic urinary tract infections. This is something I have not heard much about here in Canada so it is exciting news to share for many chronic urinary tract infection sufferers who may not have heard of this. Ashley is a board-certified Naturopathic Doctor with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, and a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Ashley bridges the gap between the bio-medical and holistic sides of medicine by emphasizing accurate diagnosis, appropriate testing, communication with other practitioners, and utilizing natural therapies that are safe and effective. After overcoming her own decade-long struggles with recurrent UTIs, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and Interstitial Cystitis/BPS, Dr. Girard ND has developed a clinical focus on treating bladder conditions and chronic pelvic pain. In addition to her clinic, Dr. Girard shares helpful tips and new research tips on her blog, Holistic Bladder Care. You can also follow Dr. Girard on Instagram .

In this first episode, Michelle dives into her pelvic pain and chronic illness journey and why she started The Happy Pelvis.