Under the Hood

Rebecca & Alex
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SEXUALITY

Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alexandra DiGrado and sex & couples therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy get real about sexual health, intimacy, and the stuff we didn't learn about our body in school. From the clitoral hood to parenthood, no topic is off-limits. Each episode blends a combined 30 years of clinical experience with compassionate advice and humor, giving you trusted knowledge, practical tools, and the confidence to take charge of your health and relationships. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 19: The UTI That Isn’t - Bladder Pain, Pelvic Floor & Menopause (with special guest Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest)

    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 three major drivers of bladder pain, how aloe-based treatments are being used for vulvar irritation and painful sex, and emerging research on lactoferrin for menopause, iron balance, gut health, and endometriosis. If you've felt confused by pelvic or bladder symptoms that don't have simple answers, this conversation offers language, context, and specific questions you can bring to your care team. What You’ll Learn Why bladder problems and tight pelvic floor muscles can cause many of the same symptoms, but require different treatments.How aloe-based treatments are being used for bladder pain, vulvar irritation, painful sex, and radiation burns.Why a protein found in early breast milk is being studied for menopause, gut health, and endometriosis.Tune in if you’ve ever thought: “Why does it feel like I have a UTI even though my tests are all normal?“Sex hurts, and I’m tired of being told to just relax or use more lube.”“My bladder symptoms keep coming back, and no one can tell me why.”Resources Desert Harvest Website (Use for Relievium, SSAB Capsules, and UTI Defense)Contact info@desertharvest.com or call toll-free (800)-222-3901 to request a free sample of their Desert Harvest Super-Strength Aloe Vera Capsules. Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryConnect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com

    25 min

  2. MAR 3

    Episode 18: The Myth of “Bouncing Back" - Real Talk on Your Postpartum Body, Identity, and Relationships

    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 were before baby — we learn to move forward differently. What you'll learn: How long it actually takes to feel “normal” again after birth (hint: it’s nowhere near 6 weeks).Why unrealistic expectations (about sleep, breastfeeding, your body, and your relationship) often cause more suffering than the changes themselves.What really determines whether your baby sleeps (it’s not just your parenting skills).Why strong couples don’t “bounce back” — they relearn the dance.Tune in if you’ve ever thought: “Everyone else seems to be handling this better than I am.”“Why does her baby sleep and mine doesn’t? I’m following the plan.”“If this is supposed to be natural, why do I need so much help?”“Will I ever feel like myself again?”Resources Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy The Postpartum Essentials Virtual courseSex After Baby Mini-Course Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryConnect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com **What topic should we cover next? Who should we have on as a special guest? We'd love to hear your ideas! Reach out at https://www.underthehoodpod.com/contact. **

    24 min

  3. FEB 24

    Episode 17: Boundaries Without Guilt - How to Protect Your Energy Without Shutting People Out

    ‘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 share out), how both oversharing and shutting down can interfere with real connection, and why burnout, trauma, and gender expectations make boundaries especially hard for parents and caregivers. If you’re trying to show up for your work, your kids, and yourself without burning out, this episode offers a clear, realistic way to think about boundaries so you can protect your energy and still stay close to the people you care about. What You’ll Learn: Boundaries aren’t just about saying “no” (and what oranges have to do with it)How to use “the pause” instead of an automatic yes (and why “checking your schedule” is about more than just your calendar)Why oversharing and people-pleasing can make connection harder, not easierHow gender and social conditioning shape the way we learn (or don’t learn) boundariesTune in if you’ve ever thought: “How do I set a boundary without it being this big, awkward thing?”“Why am I good at setting boundaries in some parts of my life, but not others?”“I want to be open and connect with people, but I’m never sure how much of myself to share.”“Why does setting boundaries seem to be so easy for some people, but not for me?”Resources Boundary Boss by Terri Cole, MSW, LCSWEssentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeownFind a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryParents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Connect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com

    29 min

  4. FEB 17

    Ep 16: Everybody Poops: A Guide to Constipation + Gut Health

    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 mechanics, and find lasting relief.  What You’ll Learn: How small shifts in your bathroom routine can make pooping easier (step one: put your phone away!)The cool science behind why your gut is called the “second brain” (and how the vagus nerve connects the two)Why just adding fiber won’t help if the issue is muscle coordination (not slow movement)Tune in if you’ve ever thought: “Why do I get blocked up every time I travel?”“Why am I constipated even though I eat healthy?”“Why do all my tests say everything’s ‘normal’ when I feel so miserable?”“Why am I going to the bathroom so often, but still don’t feel ‘done’?”Helpful Resources: Femeeze: A small handheld tool that supports the vaginal wall during a bowel movement, helping people with a rectocele empty more comfortably and completely.Squatty Potty: A small footstool that raises your feet on the toilet to mimic a natural squat and make bowel movements easier.Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS by digestive health specialist + registered dietitian Kate Scarlata and GI psychologist Megan Riehl.Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryConnect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com

    28 min

  5. FEB 11

    EP 15 (*BONUS*): How To Get Your Freak On After Kids

    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 back to your partner - and yourself - again. What You’ll Learn: Why not being in the mood is often about nervous system overload, not a broken relationshipThe difference between spontaneous and responsive desire (and the importance of a longer runway)How a well-timed whisper can totally change the tone in your relationshipTune in if you’ve ever thought: I love my kids, but if one more person touches me today, I’m gonna lose it.Why is my partner ready to go the second the kids leave the house…but I’m just here thinking about the bills?How do I stop feeling like sex is one more thing on the to-do list.Does scheduling sex means the spark is gone for good?Resources Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy The Postpartum Essentials Virtual courseSex After Baby Mini-Course Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryConnect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com

    45 min

  6. JAN 27

    Episode 14: (PART 2) The Psychology of Orgasm: Your Brain's Role in Great Sex

    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 and start enjoying it again.  What You’ll Learn: Why saying "I can’t stop thinking about the laundry" out loud actually helps your brain switch back to sex mode.How to use fantasy to get out of your head and into your body and why that’s ok. How to tell your partner exactly what you need.Why solo play is the first step to amazing partnered sex!Tune in if you’ve ever thought: "Why can I orgasm alone, but not with my partner?""Why does my mind wander during sex?""Am I cheating if I fantasize about someone else?""How do I tell them what I want without making it awkward?"Resources The Postpartum Essentials Virtual courseSex After Baby Mini-Course Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryParents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Connect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: https://www.rebeccaeudy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahowardeudy/Newsletter:  https://substack.com/@parentsinloveDr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonpelvicpt/Newsletter: https://bostonpelvicpt.myflodesk.com/underthehood Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthehooddocs/Website: http://www.underthehoodpod.com

    26 min

  7. JAN 20

    Episode 13: (Part 1) Orgasms and the Pelvic Floor (what even PTs don’t learn)

    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. What you'll learn: Orgasm is a full-body reflex, involving your pelvic floor, breath, diaphragm, and nervous system (aka it’s not a simple on/off switch). Orgasms require both relaxation and excitation at the right times (and how PFPT can help with that).You can orgasm without ejaculation.Most pelvic floor PTs aren't trained in orgasm function in school. Tune in if you’ve ever thought: “I’m not sure if I’ve ever had an orgasm.”“Why does it take me forever to finish (or not at all)?”“How can I feel more relaxed in my body during sex?”“How can pelvic floor PT help with orgasm issues?”Helpful resources: Come As You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski Ph.D.Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski Ph.D.Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters - And How to Get It by Laurie Mintz Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard EudySex After Baby Mini-CourseFind a pelvic floor PT near you: Pelvic Rehab Directory or Pelvic Global DirectoryConnect with Us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt Newsletter: Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs Website: underthehoodpod.com

    25 min

  8. JAN 13

    Episode 12: Resentment in Relationships (and why “letting it go” doesn’t work)

    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 (because it's never just about the dishes), taking responsibility for what you can control, and asking for what you need in a way that actually brings you closer.  What You’ll Learn: When “letting things go” is actually avoidance, and when to speak up instead.Why over-functioning is often a choice that feels easier in the moment but backfires later on.How to ask for what you want without nagging or accusing.How to stop “shitting on the gift” when you try to do something nice for your partnerTune in if you’ve ever thought: “Why am I the only one who takes care of things around here?”“I know deep down my partner cares… so why doesn’t it feel like it?”“If I have to ask him to do it, it doesn't count.”"I should be happy my partner is taking care of himself, but I’m just annoyed instead.”Resources: Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global DirectoryParents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Connect with us: Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: https://www.rebeccaeudy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahowardeudy/Newsletter:  https://substack.com/@parentsinloveDr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonpelvicpt/Newsletter: https://bostonpelvicpt.myflodesk.com/underthehood Under the Hood Podcast Website: http://www.underthehoodpod.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthehooddocs/

    23 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alexandra DiGrado and sex & couples therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy get real about sexual health, intimacy, and the stuff we didn't learn about our body in school. From the clitoral hood to parenthood, no topic is off-limits. Each episode blends a combined 30 years of clinical experience with compassionate advice and humor, giving you trusted knowledge, practical tools, and the confidence to take charge of your health and relationships. 

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca & Alex
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Under the Hood
  • Show Website
    Under the Hood

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