Pelvic Pain: Where to start when you have pain and what might be helpful.
It might have started as a niggle and gradually increased. Or you might have been told it’s ‘normal’. Let us just state here and now - if you have pain that is bothering you or affecting your life…
It is not normal.
It’s a hill we’re willing to die on. Pelvic pain can be tiring, confusing and fluctuate. So where do you start? Getting to the bottom of pain is a team effort. You can start in many different ways.
Start with basics of wellbeing: good nutrition, sleep and self care. The more we support our general wellbeing, the better our experience of pain.
It’s really easy to say. And stay with us here. We KNOW that pelvic pain is often about so much more that this. But focusing on small things and changes you can make, can help and lay the foundation for more support if required. Eating to your appetite, a few meals a day. Gentle movement and walking. Getting enough sleep if you can.
Are you up to date with your cervical screening test, bowel screen (if appropriate)? Do you have any red flags deserving of urgent review?
Making sure we’re not missing anything means ensuring we’re up to date with screening and seeing someone ASAP if you have red flags. These can include (but are not limited to) bleeding after menopause, bleeding after s*x, worsening constipation of unknown cause, bleeding from the back passage, associated with weight loss and night sweats.
Is your pain related to your period or lasts month long?
Your pain may be related to your gynaecological, bladder or gastrointestinal health but all are intricately related.
It can be hard to know sometimes, is this my period? Is this my bladder or bowel? It’s difficult to know because it can often be interrelated. Often this requires a medical assessment and some support with your GP to working out what might be going on.
If you’re in pain and it’s affecting you, this isn’t normal. Please know there is support out there. Starting with one modality if that appeals is completely appropriate. It’s about what feels right for you or helpful. This can change and be in flux over time too and that’s ok. Our team is there to support you in whatever path you choose.
Questions to consider:
Do you have pelvic floor issues, bladder/ bowel or s*xual dysfunction?
An overactive pelvic floor can be related to persistent pelvic pain.
We cannot emphasise how important physiotherapy can be for assessment and management of pelvic pain and there is much evidence to support this in the literature. ‘‘Pre-hab” before, during and after investigation of pelvic pain improves outcomes and wellbeing. It’s about so much more than a few exercises. Also, a clinical s*xologist can help with pain and wellbeing, individual and relationship supports.
2. Do you find your symptoms related to eating and struggle with food? Do you notice a link with stress levels?
Bowel problems can be debilitating and if you’re noticing an association with eating, a dietitian may be helpful. Having some support around intuitive eating and any flare foods can help with settling things. But the mind-gut relationship is strong and psychology can also be powerful in pelvic pain.
3. Are you struggling to inhabit your body with safety or move your body?
Gentle and safe mind- body connection can be powerful and helpful. Yoga has been shown an effective tool to assist and there are yoga teachers who can support with pelvic pain appropriate yoga. This can involve stretches and biofeedback (noticing changes in your body with different movements and inputs). It can help with flares and with maintenance. Other adjuncts that can be helpful are acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and many people find relief with this as part of their support.
Take Home message:
If your in pain and its affecting you, this isn’t normal. Please know there is support out there.
Starting with one modality if that appeals is completely appropriate. Its about what feels right for you or helpful. This can change and be in flux over time too and thats ok.
Our team is there to support you in whatever path you choose.
Juno Specialists redefine Maternal, Women’s and Child Health.
Based in Richmond, Victoria. We bridge the gaps that exist within the current models of maternal, women’s and child healthcare. We bring together the best of modern medicine, progressive forward thinking, evidence-based practices and reclaim sacred ways. Medical + Allied Health, together.
We lead with deeply integrated care. We seek to inform and educate you. We allow time. We honour your autonomy.
We offer comprehensive one-on-one long appointments as standard with compassionate and knowledgeable practitioners. Our GPs also offer Iron Infusions and vaccinations. We provide forward-thinking, solution-creating services - our Breastfeeding Day Stay and Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy Fluid and Support Stay.
We provide:
Juno Specialists is located in Richmond on the banks of Birrarung and is easily accessible from inner eastern, northern Melbourne and beyond. We service all of Melbourne including Kew, Hawthorn, Abbotsford, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, North Melbourne, Carlton, Burnley, Prahran, Clifton Hill, Brunswick, Coburb, South Yarra, East Melbourne, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Fairfield, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Toorak, Malvern, Camberwell, Balwyn, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Blackburn, Mount Waverley and beyond.
The space within Juno’s walls has been designed for you
A sacred space for you to feel completely supported. We have designed our space specifically with your needs, comfort and accessibility in mind.
We look forward to supporting you.
