Sex, Pelvic Health and Breaking Taboos with Dr. Rachel Gelman

Get ready for a conversation that pulls no punches! In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor physical therapist and certified sexuality counselor who's making waves in San Francisco's sexual health scene. From painful sex to leaky laughs, Rachel breaks down everything you've wondered about but were afraid to ask. About Dr. Rachel Gelman Dr. Rachel Gelman is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and AASECT-certified sexuality counselor based in San Francisco. She's the owner and founder of Pelvic Wellness & Physical Therapy, where she specializes in treating pelvic pain, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction across all gender identities. With over 15,000 clinical hours and extensive training from the University of Michigan's sexuality counseling program, Rachel is also an adjunct instructor at Samuel Merritt University and works with companies in the sex tech and femtech space. Contact Info: Website: www.pelvicwellpt.comInstagram: @pelvichealthsfEmail: [e-mail] Episode Highlights 🔥 Why Rachel prescribes vibrators more than Kegels - spoiler alert: your pelvic floor might need the opposite of what you think 💡 The chocolate cake technique for rediscovering pleasure when sex has been painful 🚽 How your bathroom habits are sabotaging your sex life (and the simple $15 fix that could change everything) ⚡ The clitoris vs. penis truth bomb that explains why most sex education gets it wrong Chapter Breakdown [00:00] From Biology Student to Pelvic Health Pioneer How Rachel fought university pushback to specialize in the "taboo" field of pelvic health [05:30] Solo Sex as Self-Care Why masturbation isn't just about pleasure—it's essential healthcare [12:15] The Great Orgasm Education Gap Breaking down the clitoris-penis connection and why anatomy education is failing us [18:45] When Your Tailbone Ruins Your Sex Life The surprising connection between tailbone pain and sexual dysfunction [24:00] Breathing Your Way to Better Sex Simple techniques that calm your nervous system and unlock pleasure [29:30] Creating Your Sexual Menu Rachel's game-changing approach to moving beyond vanilla penetration scripts [35:15] The Leaky Sex Dilemma Addressing incontinence during intimacy (spoiler: it might not be what you think) [41:00] Painful Erections Aren't Normal What's happening when erections hurt and how pelvic floor dysfunction affects all genders [46:30] Sex Tech Recommendations Rachel's favorite brands and why your vibrator should look like modern art Resources Mentioned Sex Toy Brands Rachel Recommends: Unbound - Women-owned, versatile products (try the "Bender")Maude - Sleek, modern art aestheticMystery Vibe - Research-backed products for people with pelvic pain Tools & Techniques: Squatty Potty or toilet stool for better bowel movementsYes/No/Maybe lists for sexual communicationRomance novels and audio erotica as pleasure researchChild's pose and happy baby positions for pelvic floor relaxation Professional Resources: AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists)International Society for Sexual MedicineInternational Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health Why You Need to Listen This isn't your typical health podcast episode. Rachel doesn't just talk about pelvic floors—she revolutionizes how we think about pleasure, pain, and the connection between our bodies and our sex lives. Whether you're dealing with painful sex, curious about pelvic health, or just want to understand your body better, this conversation will leave you with actionable insights and a completely new perspective on sexual wellness. Warning: This episode contains frank discussions about sex, anatomy, and bodily functions. Perfect for anyone ready to have real conversations about real bodies. Subscribe to The Hole Shebang wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to follow us for more taboo-breaking conversations about pelvic health and sexual wellness.