Navigating Pelvic Health: Advisory Support and Custom Solutions for All of Ottawa

Pelvic health is a vital, yet often overlooked, component of overall well-being. Whether you are navigating postpartum recovery, managing chronic pain, or dealing with bladder control issues, understanding your options is the first step toward relief.

At Whole Health Compounding Pharmacy Glebe, we act as an advisory partner for residents across all of Ottawa, including The Glebe, Old Ottawa South, Alta Vista, Nepean, Kanata, and Orléans. While we do not have physiotherapists or primary care providers on our immediate staff, we specialize in the pharmaceutical side of pelvic health—providing customized medications that work in tandem with the physical therapy or medical treatment you receive elsewhere.

Understanding Common Pelvic Health Challenges

Pelvic health concerns can affect individuals of all ages and genders. If you are experiencing the following, it is important to seek a professional diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider:

• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: When muscles are either too weak (hypotonic) or too tight (hypertonic), leading to pain or control issues.
• Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary leaking that often occurs after childbirth or during menopause.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes: Including conditions like Vulvodynia, Interstitial Cystitis, or Endometriosis.
• Hormonal Changes: Dryness or tissue thinning (atrophy) that often accompanies menopause and affects pelvic comfort.

The Advisory Path: Building Your Care Team

Effective pelvic health care usually requires a multidisciplinary team. We recommend a collaborative approach:

1. Professional Diagnosis: Consult your Family Physician or a specialist such as a Urologist or Gynecologist.
2. Physical Rehabilitation: We strongly advise working with a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. They are the experts in retraining the muscles of the pelvic bowl. If you need a recommendation, we can refer you to trusted pelvic health specialists throughout the Ottawa region.
3. Personalized Medication: This is where we come in. When commercial “off-the-shelf” medications are not suitable or effective, we compound customized preparations to support your therapy.

Compounded Preparations for Pelvic Health

At Whole Health Pharmacy Glebe, we work with your specialists to prepare tailored medications that address the root cause of your discomfort.

1. Specialized Topical Creams & Suppositories

For chronic pelvic pain or muscle spasms, we can compound medications that target the nerves and muscles directly, minimizing systemic side effects. Ingredients may include:

• Amitriptyline & Gabapentin: Often used topically to calm overactive nerve endings in the pelvic region.
• Baclofen or Diazepam: Compounded into specialized suppositories to help relax hypertonic (overly tight) pelvic floor muscles.

2. Hormonal Support (BHRT)

For vaginal atrophy or dryness that contributes to pelvic discomfort, we compound bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), such as:

• Estriol or Estradiol: Custom-strength creams that help restore tissue integrity.
• DHEA: Sometimes used to support tissue health and libido.

3. Bladder Health

For those suffering from Interstitial Cystitis, we can provide specialized oral or intravesical preparations as directed by your urologist.

Quality, Safety, and National Standards

Regulatory Note: In strict accordance with OCP (Ontario College of Pharmacists) and NAPRA standards, all our compounded preparations are made using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients in a regulated environment. While we handle non-sterile topicals and suppositories in-house, if your specialist requires a sterile dosage form (such as certain injections or bladder instillations), we source these from a certified sterile compounding lab that follows the highest national standards for safety and purity.

Serving Every Corner of Ottawa

Whether you are located in the heart of The Glebe, the suburban reaches of Kanata and Stittsville, or the growing communities of Barrhaven and Riverside South, we are your partners in care. We coordinate with healthcare providers across the city to ensure your custom medication is accessible and effective.

FAQ: Pelvic Health & Compounding