Painful sex is common, but not normal.
You can have sex without pain!Pelvic floor therapy for painful sex that is holistic, trauma-informed, and consent based. We consider everything from hormones to scar tissue to the nervous system for full body care.
There are many causes to painful sex…
Painful sex can be caused by low estrogen, lack of lubrication, scar tissue, pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pelvic conditions, fear and anxiety around sex, and more.
Working with a pelvic floor therapist from a holistic approach helps you comprehensively address your symptoms with all avenues of your health in consideration.
Painful sex can look like:
Burning or stinging with insertion
Deep pain with intercourse
Vaginal dryness or friction during sex
Pain with certain positions
Difficulty with insertion (explore our page on vaginismus)
Pain with arousal
Pain with orgasm
Pelvic floor tension, tightness, or hypertonic pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic pressure
Soreness after sex
Painful sex can lead to:
Anxiety around sexual intimacy
Avoidance of all penetration
Avoidance of sex and dating
Fear around certain sexual positions
Stress in a relationship
Decreased quality of life
Feelings of isolation, that your body is “broken”, hopelessness
Stress and anxiety overall
You are NOT alone.
A whole-body approach rooted in holistic care and pain science
Trauma-Informed Care That is Consent Forward
Painful sex can sometimes feel vulnerable or intimidating to address. With a certification in trauma-informed care, Gina helps you feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire process.
We practice enthusiastic consent. Being able to listen to your body’s boundaries and true consent is a practice, so we will practice that together. We move at your pace and make sure the nervous system is supported the entire time.
Everything we do will be thoroughly explained, optional, and able to adapted.
As a pelvic floor occupational therapist and certified sexuality OT, Gina looks beyond the pelvic floor muscles to understand how your medical history, hormones, scar tissue, nervous system, lived experiences, and daily occupations contribute to your pain.
Whole Body Rehab
We may engage in manual therapy and work with the musculoskeletal system, including the fascia and addressing any hypertension, restrictions, or scar tissue.
Gina can help you navigate the healthcare system for access to hormonal support.
Sessions may include nervous system training and pain re-processing to work with the brain in connection to the body.
We may engage in movements, stretches, strengthening, mobility, and more.
There may be education and training in pelvic tools such as wands or dilators to assist with your treatment plan.
Pelvic Sex Counseling Strategies
As a certified sexuality OT and training in pelvic sex counseling, Gina incorporates these techniques into sessions as applicable. This means addressing your symptoms and relationship with sex from a biopsychosocial lens. We can look at your medical influences, but also your identity, your history, your beliefs, your values and more. We can take time to dive into your wants, needs, and boundaries around sex, as well as how to communicate them with partners.
Therapy grounded in empathy and science.
Hi, I’m Gina (she/her), your Pelvic Floor OT. I founded Anxious Pelvis Clinic in Denver because I believe pelvic pain care should feel nothing like the cold, clinical encounters many people have experienced. My work is informed by occupational science, pain science, trauma-informed practice, embodiment, and a deep respect for the mind–body connection. Too often women and AFAB individuals are dismissed in health care and provide sub-par care that leaves people feeling even more confused.
I aim to change that and provide you high quality care that truly listens to your concerns and addresses them effectively.
I specialize in nervous system dysregulation, painful sex, vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pelvic floor hypertonicity, and complex pelvic pain conditions. I approach every person as a whole human being, not just a diagnosis.
Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR/L
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I)
Certified Sexuality Occupational Therapist (CSOT)
Pelvic Sex Counseling Certificate
Holistic Pelvic Floor Therapy Provider
Mindfulness Based Approaches
Trauma Informed Care Provider
Pelvic Floor OT Specialist
I offer in-person pelvic floor therapy in Denver, Colorado and telehealth consultations for self-directed home programs paired with live support.
Answering what you might be afraid to ask
These are the questions we hear most often about treatment for painful sex. No question is too embarrassing, too sensitive, or too small.
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No, Colorado is a direct access state. You can contact us directly to schedule your free discovery call.
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Internal assessment can be a helpful part of pelvic floor therapy, but it is never required. Our approach is never rushed and always consent-based. We like to give you tools first to help support you during internal treatment prior to engaging in any internal exam.
Many meaningful treatment goals can be worked toward without any internal work, especially early in treatment.
You’re the leader in your care, we are your guide. Read more on internal work. -
Vaginismus refers specifically to pain or limitations with insertion into the vaginal canal.
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain. The vulva is the external area of the genitalia.
These conditions often co-occur, and our occupational therapy approach addresses both effectively.
This may also include referrals for trusted gynecological care.
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Absolutely. Many clients come to us as single individuals who want to address pelvic pain for their own wellbeing and to understand and feel relief in their own body. Your goals are valid regardless of your relationship status.
Regardless of if you’re in a relationship, and regardless of if you’re sexually active, we can address your goals to pain-free sex.
Your pleasure, your body, your goals.
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Yes. While some aspects of pelvic floor care benefit from in-person sessions, a substantial portion of painful sex treatment — including education, pain reprocessing training, nervous system work, trigger point release, mindset coaching, and home dilator programs — can be delivered effectively via telehealth.
For those in Colorado or Pennsylvania, you can do telehealth sessions through the clinic.For anyone else, no matter where you live, you can book a coaching intake through our online platform.
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Yes! Painful intercourse can exist in any gender or sexuality.
Our intake forms are gender inclusive and we value your safety and comfort every step of the way.
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Anxious Pelvis Clinic is for you if you want high quality care, that is inclusive, effective, and gives you the time and attention you deserve.
Due to this, we are out of network with insurance.
We do provide superbills upon request, that you can submit to your insurance for out of network reimbursement, depending on your plan.
Payment can also be made with FSA and HSA cards.
We also have select spaces for sliding scale. If you are on Medicaid or Medicare, we offer wellness based services.
Learn more and get all your questions answered during your free call.
You don't have to keep pushing through the pain
Relief is possible. Whether you've been struggling for months or years — there's a path forward, and we'll walk it with you. Your free consultation is a safe, judgment-free space to begin.