Cyclical Pain
Ladies! Let’s talk about cramps. Most women can relate to experiencing lower abdominal or lower back pain for a day or so right around their menstrual cycle. For many women the pain is noticeable for a few hours or a day, but generally does not impact their daily life too much. However, for 10-15% of women in their reproductive years they are experiencing much more intense symptoms each month. They experience debilitating pelvic pain (lower abdominal, lower back, and/or pelvic floor or vaginal) that can cause them to miss school or work spending several days in bed with a heating pad. Consistently missing social plans, work obligations, or school can lead to repercussions in their emotional, financial, and mental health.
If you’re experiencing severe cyclical pain it could be due to a condition known as endometriosis. This term refers to a medical diagnosis where the endometrial tissue (tissue that lines the inside of the uterus to prepare for sustaining a possible pregnancy each month, then is shed as menstrual blood from the vagina if no pregnancy occurs) appears outside of the uterus. The tissue that appears outside of the uterus is affected by the normal hormonal changes occurring during the menstrual cycle and will become inflamed and can lead to the development of adhesions and scar tissue within the abdominal and pelvic areas.
Often endometriosis goes undiagnosed for long periods of time because it is commonly misdiagnosed or symptoms can be dismissed by health care providers when women report severe cyclical symptoms such as cramping. Also, ultrasound and other imaging is not always effective in determining the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. The only definitive way to determine the presence of endometriosis is to undergo a laparoscopy (surgical procedure where a scope is inserted through a small abdominal incision) to visualize and test the tissue.
If you are diagnosed with endometriosis, there are often several different options for treatment. For some women, birth control or hormone treatments can be helpful. Some physicians may prescribe pain medication or recommend use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. From a natural perspective, our nutrition intake can have a significant impact on our body’s inflammatory state, therefore discussing important nutrition choices with an expert can be beneficial to make lifestyle choices to support your overall health. Working with a pelvic floor physical therapist can be helpful to address pelvic pain symptoms, as well as looking from a whole body perspective at your symptoms and how to address them.
If you are one of the many women who are experiencing severe cyclical symptoms, reach out to us at Shift Physical Therapy, you are not alone! We will provide a safe and caring environment for you to share your story and provide you with education, information, and options for helping you feel your very best!
Written by: Renee Hancock, Physical Therapist, Pelvic Floor Specialist
