219 Breath, Bladder and the Brain: Rethinking Urination and Aging Gracefully with Dr. Nicole Fleischmann

Is your pelvic floor holding you back — literally? This week on the Growing Older Living Younger podcast, Dr. Nicole Fleischmann joins Dr. Gillian  Lockitch  to shatter the myths surrounding women's pelvic health. Discover why "the second mouth" — your pelvic floor — is key to nervous system regulation, continence, and vitality as you age. Learn how pushing to pee could be damaging your body, why Kegels might not be the answer, and how a simple sniff can reconnect you with your core. This is a must-listen episode for every woman over 40 who wants to age with grace, strength, and confidence.  

Dr. Nicole Fleischmann is a board-certified urologist specializing in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She earned her MD from SUNY Downstate and completed her training in urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a fellowship at NYU. With over 25 years of clinical experience, she currently directs the FPMRS program at White Plains Hospital Center and serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Fleischmann is the author of  The Second Mouth: One Woman's Journey to Decode a Hidden Language for a New Era of Women's Health . Her integrative approach blends science and somatic awareness, helping women reconnect mind and body for lifelong pelvic health.  

Episode Timeline

0:00  – Introduction  
Dr. Gillian introduces the podcast theme of aging youthfully and welcomes Dr. Nicole Fleischmann to discuss pelvic health, aging, and the nervous system.  

4:00  – Why Dr. Fleischmann Wrote  The Second Mouth  
Nicole shares her motivation: translating intuitive understanding into a narrative that reframes pelvic floor function as neurological and energetic, not just mechanical.  

6:30  – Urinary Issues and Aging  
Discussion of prevalence: incontinence affects up to 80% of women by age 80. Why pelvic floor dysfunction is universal yet misunderstood.  

8:30  – What Is Embodied Awareness? <span class= "LineBreakB