March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

Did you know that Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 girls and women, and unmeasured numbers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals?

What is endometriosis?

According to EndoAct Canada, endometriosis is a gynecological condition that affects approximately 1 million people in Canada. Common symptoms include severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. There is neither a definitive cause nor a known cure for endometriosis – symptoms are managed using a combination of medical and surgical care. Despite the burden of endometriosis, awareness of this condition is low because of menstrual stigma and taboo.

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial lining of the uterus abnormally grows outside of the uterus forming implants, lesions or cysts in the pelvic cavity and sometimes in other regions of the body. This often leads to pain, scarring and other medical conditions depending where the lesions are.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include:

Pain - can be cyclical in a pattern consistent with the menstrual cycle

• Pain with sexual activity

• Painful bowel movements

• Disabling or increasingly painful menstrual cycles

• Pelvic pain at any time of the cycle

• Back or leg pain during menstruation

Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Constipation, diarrhea, or cycling between the two

• Abdominal bloating

• Nausea and vomiting

• Painful bowel movement

Bladder symptoms

• Bladder pain

• Urinary urgency

• Urinary frequency

• Pain with urination

Fertility issues

• Infertility

• Recurrent pregnancy loss

Fatigue

If you suspect you or someone you know has endometriosis, the Endometriosis Network of Canada is an excellent resource including how to find a doctor who is knowledgeable and skilled in the treatment of endometriosis, support groups, educational resources, and how to get involved in raising awareness of this poorly understood condition.

You can follow this link for more information: https://endometriosisnetwork.com/information

Pelvic Plus Physio is having a Birthday!

It has been one year since the clinic officially opened, and the overwhelming emotion I feel is an incredible sense of gratitude. On September 15, 2019 I officially opened the doors to Pelvic Plus Physio after what was an idea that I had over the years turned into a goal. The goal was to create a space for patients where they felt welcome, safe and comfortable. I wanted people to know that when they came to Pelvic Plus Physio, they were deserving of and would receive my full and undivided attention. After having established pelvic health programs in many clinical settings over the years, I felt that having a clinic out of my home would be conducive to achieving these goals.

I look forward to going to work and seeing my patients every day. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to be your partner in health over the past year. We have tackled pregnancy-related issues in both the ante-natal and post-natal period, incontinence, back pain, tail bone pain, chronic pelvic conditions, common aches and pains spanning from the neck to the feet, headaches, and more. We have done so as a team, and I owe a lot to you, my patients, for following my advice and putting in the work to achieve your health goals.

I want to thank the doctors who have referred patients to my clinic; your trust in me is invaluable.

Thank you to my patients for your faith as you recommend my clinic to your friends and family.

Thank you to my husband (my carpenter, computer technician, and sounding board) for all that you have done.

And thank you to my kids for your support along the way (to Ella for cooking on my late nights at work, especially).

I am very optimistic about what the next year will bring!

I look forward to continuing to help you find freedom in motion!

A Pessary - what is it good for?

What is a pessary?

A vaginal pessary is a device made of silicone that is inserted in the vagina to support and protect the vaginal tissues from pelvic organ prolapse. A pessary can provide a conservative, non-surgical option to help reduce the symptoms caused by a uterine, bladder or bowel prolapse. (To learn more about pelvic organ prolapse, see my previous blog: June is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness Month @ https://www.pelvicplusphysio.com/blog). It does this by keeping the pelvic organs and the pelvic floor muscles in an improved position that facilitates a better pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Sadly, the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse can make women avoid certain activities or exercises that they enjoy for fear of worsening their symptoms

A well-fitting pessary along with an individualized pelvic floor strength program can eradicate or minimize the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, including:

• The sensation of a bulge at the vaginal or rectal opening that can be seen or felt, and that may change depending on position, physical activity, or bowel movements.

• Heaviness or pressure felt in the perineal region (between the vagina and anus).

• Incomplete emptying of or difficulty evacuating the bladder or bowels.

• Difficulty initiating urination.

• Pain is not typically a defining characteristic of prolapse.

Pessaries are also used to prevent the progression of a prolapse and in certain cases will help relieve urinary and/or fecal incontinence.

Pessaries come in different shapes and sizes. Your doctor or your pelvic health physiotherapist with specialized training in pessary fitting is able to determine the best type and fit for you. Their aim is to reduce the symptoms of heaviness in the pelvic region, incontinence, etc, without feeling the pessary itself. A pessary should never cause vaginal discomfort or pain while it is being worn.

A pessary will last for 2-3 years. It is important to have regular follow-ups with a pelvic health physiotherapist or your doctor to ensure there is no injury or tissue erosion occurring. It is important to make the more frequent follow-ups initially and then on an annual basis to ensure that the vaginal tissues are tolerating the pessary well. It is also important that the pessary user is able to insert, remove, and perform the proper hygienic procedures for that specific pessary.

This is something a pelvic health physiotherapist with the training is able to teach you.

Interested in knowing more? I can be reached by email or phone contact, click on the contact tab at the top of this page. I am ready to answer your questions about pessary use for pelvic organ prolapse.

Pessary fitting is a service that is provided at Pelvic Plus Physio!

PELVIC PLUS PHYSIO - HELPING YOU FIND FREEDOM IN MOTION!