Lane 9 Podcast Episode 20: Impact of Low Estrogen in REDs on Pelvic Floor and Performance with Nancy Boyd DPT

“I did not have a period. It’s not unrelated that then I had a series of five stress fractures.” Nancy Boyd, former D1 collegiate runner and now DPT with a practice specializing in providing pelvic floor physical therapy, joins the Lane 9 Project for this episode. 

Nancy shares her experience with late puberty onset, i.e. primary amenorrhea, at the age of 20 competing in D1 athletics. She developed an eating disorder, and experienced a series of five stress fractures. She had surgeries, a lot of time off, and some not-great experiences within the healthcare system. She went on to get her doctorate in physical therapy, to help athletes and humans at all levels and abilities get back to movement in whatever ways are accessible to them. 

We talk about: 

• Nancy’s story: late puberty, stress fractures, an eating disorder, and finding new ways to enjoy running as a parent and person
• The impact of low estrogen levels on various parts and systems within the body
• Everything you need to know about pelvic floor physical therapy, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, peri/postmenopause, and/or experiencing REDS or an Eating Disorder
• How to access the care you might need 
• talking to younger (high school) athletes in impactful ways

Nancy’s practice in Michigan, Ancouer Wellness: ancoeurwellness.com

Find her work via @ancoeurwellness on Instagram.

For more about how to work with the Lane 9 Project in reducing REDs and improving the period health of female-bodied athletes, get in touch through our Contact Page. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter via Lane9Project.Substack.com.

Follow @Lane9Project on Instagram.

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or directly via this link.