Under the Hood

Many people think hemorrhoids are just a fiber and Preparation H problem, but there's a lot more going on. Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor physical therapist) and Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex and relationship therapist) talk through the different causes, from chronic stress and jaw tension to how you're sitting and pushing on the toilet. Alex explains why your hemorrhoids keep coming back, and how you can fix the underlying mechanics instead of just managing the symptoms. If you've felt too embarrassed to bring this up with your doctor, and you're stuck in a cycle of Metamucil and creams...

You know that feeling when something is so good - your career, your relationship, a perfect spring afternoon - that almost immediately your brain starts bracing for when it ends?? In this episode, sex & relationship therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado explore this concept (coined by research professor and author Brené Brown) and unpack why so many of us reflexively push away joy, connection, and positive emotion, often without even realizing it. You'll learn how staying with joy can lead to deeper connection, greater ease, and a life that feels fuller instead o...

Dr. Rebecca had two nine-pound babies 18 months apart, and was told by a pelvic floor PT a few years back that her diastasis recti was pretty much just going to be that way. Dr. Alex respectfully disagrees (yes, even though the “babies” are now 10 and 11).

In this episode, Dr. Alex and Dr. Rebecca dig into what diastasis recti is (and isn’t), why so much of the advice floating around online makes people afraid to move altogether, and what pelvic floor PT can do for the symptoms you've been managing on your own since your last kid was bo...

A listener asked Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex to do a "big sister chat" — the kind of honest, no-filter conversation that most of us never got growing up. They cover a lot of ground: tampon embarrassment, the myth of mutual orgasm, see-through yoga pants etiquette, and what not to do when you’ve been ghosted. Plenty of it is funny. All of it would have saved them a lot of confusion and heartache if they'd heard it earlier. This conversation is for your younger self…or for the younger people in your life who could use it now.<...

(Prefer to watch our talk? We’re now on YouTube!)

At least one in ten people experiences tailbone pain after childbirth, and many don't know that pelvic floor PT is an incredibly effective treatment for it - we hope this episode changes that.

Our guest today is Kathy Seim, BPPT Practice Manager and Under the Hood podcast editor. She joins Dr. Alex DiGrado and Dr. Rebecca Eudy to talk about her own experience of injuring her tailbone during the birth of her second son, what she wished she'd known to ask for at fi...

Most men have never thought about their pelvic floor (or knew they had one). But those muscles are doing critical work every single day for bladder control, bowel function, sexual health, and athletic performance. In this episode, Dr. Alex DiGrado and Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy talk through what the male pelvic floor is, what happens when it stops working as it should, and why so many men are suffering through symptoms they didn't know were treatable. From younger cyclists dealing with pelvic pain to older men recovering from prostate surgery, this conversation sheds light on a topic that deserves...

Most of us were never taught how to fight fair. We absorbed habits, patterns, and a fair amount of defensiveness from our own families and brought it all into our relationships. In this episode, sex therapist + couples counselor Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alexandra DiGrado get into the mechanics of conflict. Dr. Alex gets personal about her own tendencies as a pursuer, including the moment she was ready to pack up the kids over her husband's tone of voice. And together, they get into what genuine repair requires, which turns out to be a...

You tested positive for a UTI, took the antibiotics, and felt better. But then the symptoms returned (the burning, the urgency, the constant feeling you need to pee but can't fully empty ughh)…except that the culture came back negative this time, and no one can explain why you still feel awful. In this episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado and sex & relationship therapist Dr. Rebecca Eudy explain what's happening when a real UTI triggers pelvic floor tension that outlasts the infection itself, why this pattern becomes more common as estrogen levels shift, and how pelvic floor ph...

Many couples find it easier to have sex than to talk about it. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Eudy and Dr. Alex DiGrado explore why conversations about pleasure and “what’s working” (or not) can feel so awkward—even in trusting, long-term relationships. Drawing on clinical experience and real-world examples, they focus on the “supreme courage” of saying what you actually want, hearing your partner without shutting down, and co-creating a shared language around sex. You’ll learn practical, non-cheesy ways you and your partner can move from just guessing and performing to intimacy that’s way more connected, playful, and mut...

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex dive into the “Oldest Daughter” archetype. Drawing on personal reflections, therapy insights, and Brené Brown’s work, they explore the fine line between being helpful and chronically over-functioning. From running point on family vacations to navigating communication clashes with their Southern husbands (we’re not rude - we’re direct!), this honest and funny conversation looks at why so many oldest daughters are the way they are, what it costs them, and how they’re learning to step back (a bit) and let go (a little).

Key takeaways:

Prostate cancer has a remarkably good prognosis…but what happens after treatment? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Eudy and Dr. Alex DiGrado discuss the common challenges that often follow prostate cancer surgery, including urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, and the heavy emotional toll these symptoms can have on self-confidence and relationships. They explain why these symptoms happen, how pelvic floor function changes after surgery, and why many people suffer in silence without realizing that help is available. Whether you're considering a prostatectomy, already in recovery, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers education, reassurance, and hope for getting back to...

Many people wait to seek help—whether it’s pelvic floor PT or couples therapy—until things feel so “catastrophically bad” they can’t ignore them anymore. But by then, you’re not just dealing with a symptom or a disagreement,you’re dealing with months (or years) of built-up stress and a life that’s been reshaped around the problem instead of addressing it. 

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca and

Most of us know we’re tired (…that’s not breaking news). What we don’t realize is that the kind of rest we’re getting might not actually reach the parts of us that need it most.

In this episode, Dr. Alex and Dr. Rebecca sit down with Ali Schmidt, social worker, therapist, yoga teacher, and certified Daring to Rest coach, to talk about yoga nidra: what it is, how it differs from meditation, and why committing to it for 40 days changed the way Ali shows up in her life. Ali also shares how radical rest helped her...

For many, the road to an endometriosis diagnosis is a decade-long maze of debilitating fatigue, "rice cake weeks," and being told that agonizing period pain is "normal." But the conversation is finally starting to shift. This week, pelvic floor PT Dr. Alyssa Demeule joins Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex to share her journey from medical gaslighting to recovery. We dive into the new ACOG diagnostic guidelines that prioritize the patient’s voice, the importance of finding the right excision specialist, and why lasting relief requires a strategic, multimodal path. This isn’t just a clinical deep dive into a chro...

If you’ve ever wondered how your pelvic health may be affecting your fertility, this episode offers a helpful perspective. In this conversation, our own Dr. Alex joins Nora DeBora, a Functional Fertility Coach, Holistic Nutritionist and Fertility Awareness Practitioner, on The Ultimate Pregnancy Prep Podcast. They discuss the role pelvic floor physical therapy can play in fertility, pelvic pain, and overall function.

Dr. Alex explains why “tight” doesn’t always mean strong, how simple daily practices can help reduce tension and improve mobility, and why addressing pelvic health before pregnancy can make a meaningful differen...

Most of us think consent is pretty straightforward: someone asks, you say yes or no. But in real life—especially in relationships—it’s much more layered and nuanced than we’ve been taught to think about it.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (couples and sex therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor physical therapist) unpack the Wheel of Consent, a framework developed by Dr. Betty Martin that reframes how we think about giving, receiving, and asking.

From oral sex to gift-giving to everyday relationship dynamics (because consent shows up everywhere), this con...

We’ve all been there: the familiar sting, the constant urge to go, or pain during intimacy that sends us straight for the cranberry juice. But what happens when tests come back negative and antibiotics don't work?

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and Dr. Alex DiGrado are joined by Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest, to talk about why so many people are dismissed when their bladder symptoms do not fit the standard mold. Heather shares how a family member’s experience with interstitial cystitis led to the creation of Desert Harvest, and we break down...

Your pelvic floor can stretch up to 250 times its normal length during birth. Your brain undergoes a literal metamorphosis. Your hormones shift for as long as you’re lactating. So why are we expected to be “back to normal” by twelve weeks?? This week, Dr. Alex and Dr. Rebecca (both moms themselves) dive into “bounce-back” culture. We talk about the pressure to have a “good baby,” the quiet strain relationships feel in the “do no harm” phase, and how to protect your mental health in a society that profits from your insecurity. Because none of us ever really go back to who we wer...

‘Boundaries’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but actually setting them is another story. For many of us, enforcing boundaries feels so awkward and exhausting that it’s easier to just do the very thing we were trying to set a boundary around in the first place.

In this episode, couples and sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado unpack what boundaries actually are—and why they’re about much more than saying no. They explore the two types of boundaries we all use (what we allow in and what we sh...

Let’s be real: most people get squeamish talking about poop. But if your gut isn’t happy, you aren’t happy...which is why we’re breaking the taboo in this episode. Whether you’re dealing with "vacation constipation," incontinence, hemorrhoids, or just feel like your gut runs your life, this is a judgment-free conversation about getting things working again.

From the science behind Dr. Alex’s favorite Yankee swap gift (the Squatty Potty) to mastering a morning routine that supports regularity, this episode is packed with encouraging, practical tips to help you ditch the shame, fix your mec...

Many parents assume that if they aren't "in the mood," something is wrong with them or their relationship. Usually, though, it’s because it’s just really hard to find your libido under piles of laundry and sleep deprivation. In this bonus episode of Under the Hood, we’re sharing a conversation that Dr. Rebecca had as a guest on Slate’s Care and Feeding podcast about the messy reality of sex and intimacy after kids. This is an honest (and sometimes hysterical) look at why desire can disappear in those early parenting years, and how to start finding your way...

In Part 2 of our orgasm series, Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex move beyond pelvic floor mechanics to explore the psychology of orgasm. You'll learn why your brain matters as much as physical technique, how “shame loops” hijack arousal, and why fantasy is a tool (not cheating). We tackle intrusive thoughts that kill the mood (like "my stomach looks weird in this position") and give you practical tools to communicate your desires without the awkwardness. This episode is your guide to getting out of your head and back into your body, so you can stop "should-ing" all over your sex life...

Most people (including medical providers) aren’t taught how orgasms actually “work.” In this first half of a two-part series, Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor PT) and Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex therapist) unpack common misconceptions about orgasms and explore what’s going on in the body and brain. From breath and muscle coordination to nervous system regulation, they cover the physical and emotional patterns that can shape pleasure - and why these issues are often overlooked in medical care. Whether you’re confused, curious, or just want to understand your body better, this episode is a great place to start.<...

Resentment doesn’t come out of nowhere - it’s usually a sign that something important hasn’t been said or repaired. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca (sex & couples therapist) and Dr. Alex (pelvic floor PT) talk about how resentment shows up in everyday relationships, even between people who are trying their best but are operating from completely different playbooks. They unpack why many of us take on too much, assume our partner should “just know” what we’re thinking, and then feel hurt when that doesn’t happen. This conversation is about noticing what's going on under the surface (becau...

If you cross your legs before sneezing, avoid your once-favorite HIIT class, or laugh so hard you need more than a tissue, you're not alone. And despite what you've been told, stress incontinence isn't "just a part" of motherhood or aging. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Alex debunk the myths keeping people suffering in silence and offer real, evidence-based solutions for leaking. Whether you're postpartum, an athlete, or just tired of planning life around bathrooms, we'll give you the tools to reclaim confidence and ditch the "just in case" pads.

What You’ll Learn...

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (couples and sex therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado, DPT, PRPC (pelvic floor physical therapist) talk about what sex therapy and couples therapy involve—from how to find a qualified therapist to what a session might look like. They explore how emotional and physical disconnection often show up together, and why getting support earlier (before things feel overwhelming) can make all the difference. This is a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation for anyone looking to deepen connection, strengthen their relationship, or simply explore how therapy can support growth and intimacy.

You’ll lear...