Cannabis and Pelvic Floor Health During Postpartum Recovery

Pelvic floor health doesn’t get talked about enough—especially in the postpartum period, when so many of us are navigating leaks, heaviness, pain, or disconnection from our bodies. Add in exhaustion, hormonal shifts, and layered trauma, and pelvic floor healing can feel overwhelming. This is where cannabis can sometimes become part of the conversation.

It’s not about a quick fix. It’s about exploring tools that support reconnection, reduce pain, and help us feel more at home in our postpartum bodies. For some people, cannabis plays a role in that.

Why pelvic floor recovery matters

Pregnancy and birth (vaginal or caesarean) affect the pelvic floor. Muscles stretch, nerves are impacted, and tension can build up in ways we don’t even notice until we’re months out and still uncomfortable. Symptoms like urinary incontinence, painful sex, or a sense of “falling out” are common—and yet so often brushed aside.

Healing takes time, support, and often, a multi-layered approach. Pelvic floor therapy is a powerful resource. So is rest. So is listening to your body. And for some, cannabis can be another layer of support.

How cannabis may support pelvic floor healing

Cannabis won’t “heal” a prolapse or reverse muscle damage—but it can help with some of the physical and emotional challenges that come with pelvic floor dysfunction.

• Pain management: Topical cannabis salves, especially those containing CBD, may help ease tension, inflammation, and discomfort in the pelvic region. Some people find relief from internal pelvic floor therapy when paired with topical application (always with guidance and consent).

• Nervous system regulation: Postpartum can leave our bodies stuck in fight-or-flight. Cannabis—particularly strains with calming terpenes like myrcene or linalool—may help some people relax enough to connect with their bodies again. That relaxation can be key when doing pelvic floor exercises or engaging in intimacy.

• Reducing shame and promoting connection: For many of us, there’s trauma stored in the pelvic region. Cannabis, when used mindfully and in safe settings, can support trauma processing and body reconnection. It can create a window of presence—enough to stretch, breathe, or even cry without feeling like we need to fix it all at once.

Cannabis use during postpartum: a harm-reduction lens

As always, I come back to harm reduction. Using cannabis during postpartum recovery—especially for pelvic floor support—requires thoughtfulness.

• The form of cannabis (topicals vs. edibles vs. inhalation)

• The timing and dosage

• How cannabis affects your ability to care for yourself or your baby

• Whether you’re breastfeeding and how that influences your choices

• What’s legal and safe in your area

I’m not here to tell anyone to use cannabis. I’m here to say: if you do, or you’re curious, you deserve nonjudgmental support and real information. You deserve to be seen in your whole experience—not just the polished parts.

You’re allowed to seek comfort. You’re allowed to ask questions.

Pelvic floor healing is layered work. It’s physical, emotional, and spiritual. You don’t have to walk through it alone. Whether cannabis is part of your toolkit or not, I’m here to support you with care, compassion, and curiosity.

Let’s talk about what healing can look like—for your body, your heart, and your whole self.