This is a firsthand account submitted through SWHR’s Share Your Story portal, as part of SWHR’s Women’s Health Perspective series.
I have been a pelvic physical therapist for over 29 years and a physical therapist for over 40 years. Long before pelvic health was even a topic, I was educating and working toward helping people understand that pelvic health is of extreme importance in our everyday lives. I experienced, through my patients, the sadness, shame, embarrassment, anxiety, and depression that often occurred when they were experiencing issues such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, pain with sex, prolapse, and so many more conditions. It concerned me greatly that they felt unheard and ignored, and it often took years, even decades, before they were referred to pelvic physical therapy. My patients would often say phrases like: “I’m scared,” “I feel alone,” and “I had no idea I could get help for these conditions.”
My goal since I started treating pelvic conditions is to educate everyone. This includes practitioners in the medical field who treat patients, researchers helping us understand more about complex pelvic health conditions and treatments, and patients suffering with pelvic symptoms. In my experience, patients are desperate for more information and better treatments. Practitioners and individuals carrying out research are also thirsting for information regarding pelvic conditions but often don’t know where they can find it.
The recent increase in menopause awareness has helped draw more attention toward health care issues during this phase of life. Unfortunately, the information on social media is just the tip of the iceberg and can be inaccurate. Discussions regarding the physical and emotional toll of pelvic health during the menopause transition and post menopause are important for everyone, yet there is still not enough reliable information available. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is one of these topics that significantly impacts quality of life but is often not addressed or understood. It impacts bladder health, sexual health, and the overall health of women going through menopause. The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause is something that is only recently being discussed and is of vital importance for one’s quality of life. Yet again, this is just the very tip of what all practitioners and researchers should know about women’s health in menopause.
My story is not a single story that I have experienced as an individual; it is rather a story of multiple people over a long time period. I speak for many women, suffering many symptoms over many years. I hope to dispel myths and demystify pelvic conditions as well as improve access to care through knowledge.
My advice for women is to follow your heart and your instincts. If you are not getting the answers, you think are appropriate for your care, please reach out to another provider. I would also encourage people going through pelvic health issues to consider a team for their medical care. Often times pelvic issues cannot be solved completely with only one provider. A team of providers will strengthen your care and give you better insight into what is causing your symptoms and how you can resolve them. Lastly, realize you are not alone. You will be surprised how many other people share the same issues and can help you find your way, and get back to the quality of life you enjoyed in the past and would like to return to once again.