Pelvic Pain Awareness Month

By Brooke Meinema PT, DPT, FAFS

May is Pelvic Pain Awareness Month: a time to raise recognition and understanding for chronic pelvic pain (CPP)!

Chronic pelvic pain is pelvic pain lasting 6 months or longer and affects 15-20% of women between the ages of 18 and 50. There are a variety of different causes for CPP including: endometriosis, musculoskeletal problems, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), psychological factors (depression, stress, previous abuse, etc.), or, often times, a combination of these conditions. CPP can lead to prolonged muscle tension and pain throughout the pelvic floor potentially creating bowel and bladder problems, low back pain, hip and leg pain, sexual dysfunction, and potential nerve involvement. The complex nature of chronic pelvic pain generally requires a team of providers to address the physical, behavioral, psychological, and sexual factors at play to maximize outcomes.

An estimated 25% of women suffering from CPP end up spending 2-3 days each month in bed and often have to limit their daily tasks due to their pain. We want to change this! If you are suffering from CPP, the women on the i’move Women’s Health team want to help you manage your pain and regain control through pelvic floor rehabilitation. We understand the struggles surrounding this complex condition and use a holistic approach to address the entire body’s response to pain.

It’s time to stop suffering in silence! Find your healing team, and let the recovering begin!

Visit us at https://imovedaily.com/womens-health/ to learn more about our services or contact us to schedule a free one on one consultation with a Women’s Health physical therapist.

We hope to see you soon,

The i’move Women’s Health Team

Resources:

Mayo Clinic. Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women , 14 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20354368 .

University Hospitals. Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Women: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment Options, www.uhhospitals.org/services/obgyn-womens-health/female-pelvic-health/conditions-and-treatments/chronic-pelvic-pain

International Pelvic Pain Society. Chronic Pelvic Pain, 9 Apr. 2019, pelvicpain.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Patient%20Handouts/CHRONIC%20PELVIC%20PAIN.pdf