Under the Hood – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 Directory

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

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 relationship
• The 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 relationship

Tune 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 course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course 
• Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory

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

This is the second episode in our series exploring Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy’s new book, Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids.

Desire differences are one of the most common struggles couples face—especially after becoming parents. One partner may want sex more often, while the other feels overwhelmed, pressured, or disconnected. Underneath those stuck places, both people are usually reaching for the same thing: closeness, emotional safety, and reassurance that they matter.

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (couples and sex therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor physical therapist) dive into the sexual cycle—how pursuit and withdrawal show up in the bedroom, how gender conditioning shapes desire, and the real difference between spontaneous vs. responsive desire.

They explore why pressure shuts everything down, how resentment quietly builds, and why willingness—not immediate desire—is often the true starting point for connection. 

What You’ll Learn

• How emotional patterns influence sexual patterns
• The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire
• Why pressure and resentment shut down intimacy
• How gender conditioning affects how people express desire
• What is sensate focus and how can it help couples reconnect 

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “Why do we want sex at such different times?”
• “Is something wrong with me if I only feel desire after things get started?”
• “Why does my partner take it so personally when I’m not in the mood?”
• “How can we get out of this cycle of pressure, shutdown, and misunderstanding?”
• “How do we bring back intimacy after having kids?”

Resources

Sex & Relationships

• Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
   https://substack.com/@parentsinlove

Pelvic floor + postpartum support & courses

• The Healthy Pelvis Project – virtual pelvic health and postpartum support:
   https://thehealthypelvisproject.podia.com/

Find a pelvic floor physical therapist near you

• Pelvic Rehab Provider Directory:
   http://pelvicrehab.com/
• Pelvic Global PT Directory:
   https://directory.pelvicglobal.com/

Connect with Us

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

• Website: https://www.rebeccaeudy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahowardeudy/
• Newsletter: https://substack.com/@parentsinlove

Dr. Alexandria DiGrado

• Website: https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonpelvicpt/
• Newsletter: https://underthehood.myflodesk.com/o9qfr16q1v

Podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthehooddocs/
• Website: http://www.underthehoodpod.com

What happens to love, sex, and connection when kids enter the picture? In this episode, Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor PT, Melrose, MA) interviews Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex & couples therapist, Boston) about her new book Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids. They unpack why couples feel like roommates in early parenthood, how to navigate late-night fights, and what it really means to “Do No Harm” when no one’s sleeping or thriving. You’ll also learn how the Notice–Own–Connect framework helps couples move from blame to repair, and how small gestures can rebuild intimacy long before you’re back in the bedroom.

What You’ll Learn

• What the “Do No Harm Agreement” is and when to use it
• How stress, exhaustion, and unmet expectations create conflict cycles—and how to pause before they spiral
• About rupture and repair in relationships (and why repair never happens by accident)
• A crash course in attachment theory and why every couple gets stuck in predictable cycles of disconnection
• How to “blame the cycle, not each other” to turn fights into opportunities for closeness

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “We love each other, so why do we keep fighting about stupid stuff like the dishwasher?”
• “Are we broken, or just exhausted?”
• “How do we reconnect when there’s no time, no sleep, and no spark?”
• “Is it possible to repair after the baby years… and actually feel in love again?”

Resources

• Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids. by Rebecca Howard Eudy
• Secure Love by Julie Menanno
• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course 
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter by Boston Pelvic PT
• Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with Us:
 Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy → rebeccaeudy.com | Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy
Dr. Alex DiGrado → bostonpelvicpt.com | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Join the Conversation
 If this episode helped you rethink love and connection after kids, share it with a friend or tag us:  @underthehooddocs

Want more?
Subscribe wherever you listen (please rate & review the show!) and visit underthehoodpod.com for show notes, transcripts, and resources.

It’s time to talk about the most misunderstood organ in the human body: the clitoris. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex & couples therapist, Boston) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor PT, Melrose, MA) pull back the hood to bust myths about female pleasure, anatomy, and the “orgasm gap.” From the hidden structure of the clitoris to why most women don’t orgasm from penetration alone, this candid conversation explores what real sex education missed, how partners can communicate better, and why knowing your body is the foundation for better pleasure and connection.

What You’ll Learn

• The true anatomy of the clitoris—far beyond “the button”
• Why 95% of women need clitoral stimulation (not just penetration) to orgasm
• How cultural scripts around sex create confusion, pressure, and fake orgasms
• The difference between clitoral and “G-spot” orgasms—and why they’re connected
• Why “tight” isn’t better: how pelvic-floor coordination (not just Kegels) supports pleasure
• How arousal, blood flow, and relaxation affect orgasm potential
• Practical ways to explore your body, communicate with partners, and close the orgasm gap

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “Why can’t I orgasm from sex like in the movies?”
• “What’s the deal with the G-spot—is it real?”
• “Am I broken if I need clitoral stimulation?”
• “How do I tell my partner what actually feels good?”

Resources

• Come As You Are — Emily Nagoski, PhD
• Becoming Cliterate — Laurie Mintz, PhD
• Dipsy app — erotic audio stories for women
• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course 
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter (Boston Pelvic PT)
• Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with Us:
 Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy → rebeccaeudy.com | Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy
Dr. Alex DiGrado → bostonpelvicpt.com | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Join the Conversation
 If this episode helped you understand your body or rethink pleasure, share it with a friend or tag us: @underthehooddocs

Want more?
 Subscribe wherever you listen and visit underthehoodpod.com for show notes, transcripts, and resources.

“Six weeks and you’re good to go” is not the whole story. In this candid conversation, Dr.

Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex & couples therapist, Boston) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor PT,

Melrose, MA) break down why postpartum sexual health is complex. From scar care, pelvic-floor

coordination, breastfeeding-related dryness, and smart lube choices to identity shifts,

“touched

out” fatigue, and how to ease back in (think: first base, then second), you’ll get a realistic,

compassionate roadmap for reconnecting with your body and your partner.

What You’ll Learn

• Why the 6-week “all clear” ≠ fully healed, and what realistic timelines look like
• Pelvic floor changes after birth: tension + weakness + trigger points, and how
• coordination beats “just Kegels”
• Hormones and how they affect sexual and pelvic health and desire
• How to re-start intimacy gently: kissing-only nights, pressure-free progression, and
• broadening what “counts as sex”
• When to see a pelvic floor PT and why early help prevents pain/tension cycles
• The “touched out” paradox, and how communication and scheduling actually boost desire

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “We got the 6-week clearance, so… why doesn’t sex feel okay yet?”
• “Is this pain normal, or should I see a pelvic floor PT?”
• “Why is my orgasm MIA after birth?”
• “How do we feel close again when we’re exhausted and ‘touched out’?”

Resources

• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter (Boston Pelvic PT)
• Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with Us:

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy → rebeccaeudy.com | Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy

Dr. Alex DiGrado → bostonpelvicpt.com | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Join the Conversation

If this episode helped you rethink postpartum sex, share it with a friend or tag us:

https://www.instagram.com/underthehooddocs/

Want more?

Subscribe wherever you listen and visit http://www.underthehoodpod.com for show notes,

transcripts, and resources.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Erectile dysfunction is very common and it’s rarely only about erections. In this episode, Dr.

Rebecca Howard Eudy (sex & couples therapist, Boston) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor

physical therapist, Melrose, MA) team up to unpack ED from both sides: the psychology and

relationship dynamics that drive performance anxiety, and the physical, pelvic-floor, and lifestyle

factors that affect blood flow, coordination, and climax. From “spectatoring” to cycling, to

diaphragmatic breathing and practical tools like pumps, rings, and meds, this is a

compassionate, evidence-informed roadmap to getting sexual function back on track.

What You’ll Learn

• Why a “bad erection moment” can snowball into anxiety, and how to break the loop
• Physical culprits behind ED: pelvic floor tension, breath-holding with heavy lifting, cycling
• compression, prostatectomy changes, meds, and more
• Coordination: why lengthening/relaxing the pelvic floor is as vital as strengthening.
• Simple, at-home strategies: 360° breathing, posture/mobility tweaks, partner-focused
• pleasure to exit “spectator mode”
• When tools help: pumps, rings, Viagra/Cialis (and why a safety-net pill can reduce pressure)
• How to broaden “what counts as sex” so intimacy thrives while you heal

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “I can get morning/masturbation erections, but lose it with a partner, what gives?”
• “Is cycling/weightlifting messing with my erections?”
• “How do we keep sex fun if penetration isn’t reliable right now?”

Resources

• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter (Boston Pelvic PT)
• Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with Us:

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy → rebeccaeudy.com | Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy

Dr. Alex DiGrado → bostonpelvicpt.com | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Join the Conversation

If this episode gave you a new way to think about erections, anxiety, or pleasure, share it with a

friend or tag us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underthehooddocs/

Want more?

Subscribe wherever you listen and visit http://www.underthehoodpod.com for show notes,

transcripts, and resources.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Everyone talks about sex, but few talk about what really happens beneath the surface — in

your body, your nervous system, and your relationships. In this debut episode, Dr. Rebecca

Howard Eudy (Boston-based sex and couples therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor

physical therapist in Melrose, MA) open up about their paths into two of the most misunderstood

fields in healthcare.

From navigating shame and cultural taboos to redefining what sex actually means, Rebecca

and Alex unpack the real conversations they have every day with clients — and why curiosity,

safety, and humor matter as much as anatomy. Whether you’re a therapist, a new parent, or just

pelvic-floor-curious, this episode gets you under the hood of intimacy, connection, and body

awareness.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most therapists and doctors aren’t trained to talk about sex — and why that matters
• The biggest misconceptions about sex therapy and pelvic floor PT
• How to expand your definition of sex beyond “intercourse”
• Why “just do your Kegels” can actually make things worse
• The surprising overlap between emotional and physical safety — and what it means for
• desire

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “I want to feel more connected to my body or partner, but I don’t know where to start.
• “What actually happens in pelvic floor PT or sex therapy?”
• “Why does sex feel different after kids, stress, or trauma?”

Resources

• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter (Boston Pelvic PT)
• Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy → rebeccaeudy.com | Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy
• Dr. Alex DiGrado → bostonpelvicpt.com | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Join the Conversation:

If this episode helped you see your body or relationship in a new light, share it with a friend or

tag us on Instagram @underthehooddocs.

Want more?

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit underthehoodpod.com for show notes,

transcripts, and future episodes.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Welcome to Under the Hood — where real talk meets real bodies. Hosted by Dr. Rebecca

Howard Eudy (Boston-based sex and couples therapist) and Dr. Alex DiGrado (pelvic floor

physical therapist in Melrose, MA), this podcast dives into the often-overlooked intersection

between emotional intimacy, sexual health, and physical well-being.

Each episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on beneath the surface — from pelvic

pain and postpartum changes to desire differences, erectile dysfunction, and how stress and the

nervous system shape your sex life. Through open, evidence-based conversations, Rebecca

and Alex explore how the body and brain work together in pleasure, healing, and connection.

If you’ve ever wondered why sex feels different after kids, how your pelvic floor affects desire, or

what to do when you feel disconnected from your body or partner, you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Learn

• How emotional safety and pelvic floor health work hand in hand
• The biggest myths about sex therapy, intimacy, and pelvic health
• Why both the body and the relationship deserve equal attention when it comes to desire and pleasure
• How to talk about sex, stress, and physical symptoms without shame or awkwardness
• Practical, compassionate ways to reconnect with your body and your partner

Tune in if you’ve ever thought:

• “I didn’t realize pelvic floor tension could affect my sex life.
• “We love each other, but our desire feels out of sync.
• “Why does my body shut down when I try to be intimate?”
• “Where can I get real answers about sex and health without the awkward small talk?”

Connect with Us

• Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy (Sex & Couples Therapist, Boston) → rebeccaeudy.com |
• Instagram @rebeccahowardeudy
• Dr. Alex DiGrado (Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Melrose, MA) → bostonpelvicpt.com
• | Instagram @bostonpelvicpt

Resources

• The Postpartum Essentials Virtual course: https://thehealthypelvisproject.podia.com/
• Find a pelvic floor PT: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Under the Hood Newsletter (Boston Pelvic PT)

Parents in Love Newsletter by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Join the Conversation

If this podcast helps you think differently about your body, your relationship, or your health,

share it with a friend or tag us on Instagram @underthehooddocs.

Want more?

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit underthehoodpod.com for show notes, transcripts, and future episodes.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

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 course
• Sex After Baby Mini-Course 
• Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
• Parents 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.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahowardeudy/
• Newsletter:  https://substack.com/@parentsinlove

Dr. 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