Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a multifactorial condition that can affect people across ages and genders. It can be very difficult to diagnose as some types of EDS are very rare and symptoms can be vague or be confused with other diseases. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is also a condition that can be difficult to diagnose for so many reasons. Both EDS and PFD are not taught to the extent to which they should in healthcare schools and is usually something that care providers need to research on their own or obtain higher education on. For this reason, when people with EDS have PFD, there are not a lot of health care professionals who fully understand both conditions to be able to treat them effectively.

For this reason, Leia Mitchell, a women’s sexual health physician assistant in NYC took it upon herself to research the intersection between EDS and PFD. In the episode, we cover the basics of EDS and PFDs and why they can be correlated. If you have hypermobility and vaginal issues (or either one), listen up!

Leia works at The Centers for Vulvuvaginal Disorders and has recently published and article called "Identifying a correlation between hypermobile ehlers-danlos syndrome and genito-pelvic pain in cisgender women" and has won the Erwin Goldstein “Best Abstract Award” at the International Society for for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH).

Leia Mitchell is originally from Atlanta, GA but grew up in Chattanooga, TN. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biochemistry. Ms. Mitchell obtained her Master in Biophysics and Physiology from Georgetown University and Masters of Medical Sciences from Mercer University where she graduated as Valedictorian. After working as a PA for several years, she is currently beginning school again to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

Connect with her:

@the_womenshealth_pa