Endometriosis Is Often Excruciating. Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help Some Patients. |
Last year, when I discussed my continued struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome with my OB-GYN during my annual checkup, I was taken aback by the question he asked in response: Have you ever considered whether some of your symptoms are related to endometriosis?
I had not. I have irregular periods, and they’re extremely painful. I also had trouble getting pregnant, which I used to chalk up to the hormonal imbalance that gives me ovarian cysts, also called PCOS. But as it turns out, some of these symptoms also describe endometriosis, a condition that occurs when uterine lining-like tissue grows outside the uterus. Symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue, organ dysfunction, and infertility.
I was already seeing a pelvic floor therapist after giving birth. I brought up my doctor’s question to my therapist, who told me that pelvic floor therapy is sometimes recommended for endometriosis, too. But getting insurance to cover this treatment, along with other care like surgery to diagnose and remove endometriosis, can be difficult.
And sometimes, changing providers can mean having to take the time to form a new relationship, which means building trust in them to help with a sensitive matter. That matters in reproductive health care, which is intimate, and perhaps more so with a pelvic floor therapist. They are, after all, to quote a patient I spoke with, “medically fingering you.”
But when it is covered, affordable, and accessible, according to endometriosis patients that I spoke with, it is well worth it
How pelvic floor therapy can help with endometriosis
About 10 percent of menstruating people have endometriosis, and that is likely an underestimate, because many health plans do not cover the diagnostic testing that is required to receive a formal diagnosis (though that may soon change because of recent scientific breakthroughs identifying less invasive ways of diagnosing endometriosis).
I, like many patients both pelvic floor therapists that Rewire News Group spoke with see, did not even attribute symptoms to endometriosis. As a result, patients are also less likely to be formally diagnosed with this painful condition.
My experience with pelvic floor PT was multifaceted. It began with an exam, where my PT inserted her fingers into my vagina at different angles and in different areas, asking me to flex or hold certain muscles to gauge their strength or locate troublesome areas.
At the following appointments, we worked my pelvic floor muscles by doing stretches, mainly where I was on my hands and knees or laying on my back, or by having her insert her fingers to massage out pressure and tension.
Dr. Emily Mason, a pelvic floor physical therapist and women’s health coach, believes pelvic floor PT can help with certain symptoms that are directly associated with endometriosis.
“Pelvic floor PT is indicated if there is any pain around the pelvis including pain with periods, abdominal pain, low back pain, tailbone pain, hip pain, pain with sexual activity, and pain........