Pain is NOT “just part of being a woman”

Pain is NOT “just part of being a woman”

Many woman suffer through their life with pelvic pain:

• painful periods
• painful ovulation
• painful sex
• painful bowel movement

Often this is dismissed as “just part of being a woman,” but that is not true. There can be many reasons for these types of pain and you deserve investigation and answers.

Some common causes of pelvic pain include:

 

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects 10–15% of all women of reproductive age and 70% of women with chronic pelvic pain. However, it takes an average of 7.5 years for a woman with endometriosis to be diagnosed.

2. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

This is caused by an infection in the upper genital tract (commonly STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea). Though this is often resolved with antibiotics, it can persist in some women resulting in an array of different issues, including long-term pelvic and/or abdominal pain. If not identified and treated early there can be other complications.

3. Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness and irritation is common in perimenopause and menopause. Low estrogen levels  can change the vagina making it dryer and more sensitive. This can result in pain, especially during intercourse.

4. Fibroids

Fibroids are benign tumours that grow in the uterus and are quite common affecting about 70-80% of women by the age of 50. When fibroids are small they may not cause any symptoms. But if they are large and depending on the location in the uterus they can cause pelvic pain, heavy bleeding during periods, bleeding between periods, pain during intercourse, constipation, and/or back pain.

5. Ovarian cysts

Often ovarian cysts are symptom free and go away on their own. But there can be instances where ovarian cysts persist. Ovarian cyst-related pain is low in the abdomen often experienced as bloating and discomfort and sometimes includes pain in the back. Can also cause changes in bowel habits.

When a cyst ruptures it cause sudden and severe pain.

6. Emotional distress

Emotional issues like psychological trauma, stress and/or history of sexual abuse can also contribute to pelvic pain.

It is so important for women to talk about their pelvic pain, including pain with intercourse. Pelvic pain is not normal, and absolutely not something that women should just live with. In addition, all of the above conditions can be addressed. For some of these conditions, if not addressed, symptoms can worsen, the woman’s quality of life is jeopardized and there can be long term consequences.

Patients with pelvic pain can benefit from a full health plan that includes an appropriate workup to determine the cause of their pain. Once the cause has been identified an appropriate health plan can be designed. To find out more about our health care plans, and how we can help you with your pelvic plan.

Book your free Alignment Call HERE to find out how you can work with us.

In health,

Dr. Lisa Maddalena, ND