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Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is a common experience associated with menstrual health. It can also impact your daily life in significant ways — this is not normal.
In order to learn more about the correlation between pelvic pain and menstrual health, team peried spoke to The ‘Pelvic Pain Foundation Australia’, who host the ‘Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program’ (PPEP-Talks). The goal of this program is to support teenagers who suffer severe period and pelvic pain and endometriosis through providing a new approach to schooling education. This program is now available in New South Wales as part of the Australian Government National Action Plan for Endometriosis (NAPE).
Period Pain
Period pain is extremely common, with an Australian study finding it affects 93% of high school students. The pain is caused when the muscles in the uterus contract and/or tighten, causing cramping and heaviness in the pelvic area, lower back and/or stomach.
If your period pain lasts longer than the first 1-2 days of your cycle and doesn’t get better with period pain medications and is interfering with your daily life, it is recommended you speak to your GP.
(Adapted from: Jean Hailes)
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition affecting the reproductive organs and often is closely tied to pelvic pain. Endometriosis is when cells that are similar to those that line the uterus, grow in other parts of the body. The cells undergo the same menstrual changes as those in the uterus, but unlike period blood, they have no way of escaping, so they build and cause significant pain.
3 in 4 women with endometriosis experience pain and this can occur before or during your period. This pain may also be felt in the pelvis, stomach, back, when passing wind, during excrement or when ovulating.
(Adapted from: Jean Hailes)
Adenomyosis
This is often known as the ‘sister’ condition of endometriosis and it also involves problematic cell growth. Unlike endometriosis cells growing in the bowel or ovaries, they grow into the muscle wall of the uterus.
Symptoms can also include abnormal or heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and pain during sex.
(Adapted from: Jean Hailes)
Pelvic Muscle Pain
Pelvic muscle pain feels like an ongoing cramp in the pelvic and can feel like a sharp stabbing pain that shoots up the vagina or rectum. It can also lead to pain during sex or using tampons.
It also often gets worse with exercise, particularly those that engage the core and it is recommended to use a heat pack or undertake pelvic muscle stretches to alleviate the pain.
(Adapted from: Jean Hailes)
What to do when you have persistent pelvic pain:
If you are experiencing chronic and persistent pelvic pain it is recommended that you:
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Speak to your doctor
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Seek expert opinions such as a gynecologist if you think it could be a more serious condition
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Keep track of your symptoms and experiences to see if there is a pattern your doctor can pinpoint
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Seek reliable health advice and self-care strategies
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Remember to chat to trusted friends and family who may have advice or maybe even been through a similar experience
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(Adapted from: Jean Hailes)
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