If you've ever struggled with painful sex, low libido, or feeling guilty about turning down intimacy because of your bladder or pelvic pain, this episode is for you.
In this episode of IC You, I'm joined by Hannah Strom, a licensed therapist specializing in sex therapy and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), to talk about the complicated relationship between chronic pelvic pain, sexual desire, intimacy, and the nervous system.
Hannah shares her personal experience with interstitial cystitis (IC), vaginismus, and vulvodynia, including how she went from experiencing chronic pain for years to finding relief through a neuroplastic approach.
We also get pretty personal about our own experiences with painful sex, the emotional impact of years of pelvic pain, and why sexual desire doesn't always return immediately after the pain resolves.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Hannah's recovery from interstitial cystitis, vaginismus, and vulvodynia
- How Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can help with neuroplastic pelvic pain
- Why painful sex can lead to low libido, anxiety, and avoidance of intimacy
- The difference between spontaneous and responsive sexual desire
- How your nervous system can influence sexual pain, arousal, and pleasure
- Why guilt and pressure around sex can make intimacy even more difficult
- How sex therapy can help couples navigate mismatched sexual desire
- Practical strategies for rebuilding intimacy, including gradual exposure, somatic tracking, and taking penetration off the table temporarily
- Why recovering from pelvic pain doesn't automatically resolve the emotional associations you've developed around sex
Whether you're navigating interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome, vulvodynia, vaginismus, or painful intercourse (dyspareunia), this conversation offers a compassionate, practical look at how you can begin rebuilding a healthier relationship with sex and intimacy.
Resources mentioned:
- The Way Out by Alan Gordon
- Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
- Mind Your Body by Nicole Sachs
- Pain Reprocessing Therapy practitioner directory
Connect with Hannah:Hannah's website
Want to learn more about the role your nervous system may be playing in your chronic bladder symptoms?
Watch my FREE masterclass to learn about the different factors that can contribute to interstitial cystitis symptoms and how we address them inside Road To Remission.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical or mental health care.
