Understanding Our Bodies and Pelvic Pain

Hello and welcome to the new Fempower Health: Chronic Pelvic Pain community! 🎉

I’m so thrilled you’re here. Today we’re kicking off the new CPP podcast channel by bringing you a fascinating conversation about your body’s physical structure and how it might be related to pelvic pain. 

Have you ever left the doctor’s office frustrated from receiving ZERO clarity (or a genuine sense of care) after trying to explain your pelvic pain? If so, this email is for you because we talk about ways to address this issue.

For the first episode in our new space, we get to hear from a super empowering guest. 🤩

The Latest News in Pelvic Health 

New pelvic pain clinic launches in Pennsylvania to offer multidisciplinary treatment 

Allegheny Health Network just opened a specialized Women's Health Pelvic Pain Clinic in Pittsburgh to tackle the often-overlooked issue of chronic pelvic pain. The clinic aims to provide comprehensive care by integrating gynecology, physical therapy, and pain management to improve diagnosis and treatment for conditions like endometriosis and pelvic congestion syndrome. They’re taking a multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient outcomes and raise awareness about the complexities of pelvic pain. 

“Normal” pelvic pain and pelvic floor health before/after pregnancy?

A recent HealthDay questions why Americans mistakenly believe that incontinence and pelvic pain after childbirth are normal, despite these being treatable conditions. There is an emphasis on educating both the public and healthcare providers about pelvic floor health. Experts advocate for better postpartum care and awareness to ensure women receive appropriate treatment and support, highlighting that these issues should not be accepted as inevitable consequences of childbirth.

Is there a link between chronic pelvic pain and reproductive microbiota?

Recent research sheds light on the link between Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) and the microbes in the reproductive system. While CP/CPPS has long been considered a tricky condition with unclear causes, some studies are suggesting that various microorganisms—like bacteria, fungi, and viruses—might play a role in causing this pain. Doctors have often assumed CP/CPPS wasn’t related to infections, but new findings indicate that imbalances in the microbial community could lead to inflammation and discomfort. As this research deepens, it could lead to better, more personalized treatments for those suffering from chronic pelvic pain.

Pelvic pain can happen at any life phase, from adolescence to pregnancy to menopause.

How do you address pelvic pain during the specific phase of life you’re in? It might have to do with your pelvic floor. As our bodies change, different things can happen to the pelvic floor, causing pain, discomfort, or even dysfunction. Pelvic floor therapy can alleviate these issues and improve muscle function to enhance your quality of life. Before seeking this type of support, it’s important to understand what might be going on with your body. 

For more insight, this former episode explores pelvic PT at different life stages: 

Around The World of Women’s Health

August is National Wellness Month. I encourage you to explore the importance of pelvic health in overall well-being, similar to the topics discussed in the latest podcast episode. Whether it's through exercise, mindfulness, or seeking professional support, let's remember that our bodies deserve care and understanding no matter what symptoms we might be experiencing. 

I’ll leave you with a quote about managing the body’s “alarm system”: