Symptoms
- Discomfort can appear as a searing, aching, or throbbing pain affecting areas like the vaginal canal, vulva, anus, or surrounding tissues
- Women commonly report issues during sex, problems tolerating tight clothing, and difficulty sitting for more than short periods
- Physical activity, including stretching and cardio, can sometimes worsen the pain
- You may notice urinary complaints like urgency, frequent urination, or stinging sensations, occasionally accompanied by leakage
- Many also experience gastrointestinal symptoms—bloating, constipation, or uneven bowel routines
- While some episodes are clearly triggered by things like tampon use or sexual activity, others arise out of nowhere
- Some women live with chronic pain daily, while others manage symptoms that come and go
Symptoms
- Discomfort can appear as a searing, aching, or throbbing pain affecting areas like the vaginal canal, vulva, anus, or surrounding tissues
- Women commonly report issues during sex, problems tolerating tight clothing, and difficulty sitting for more than short periods
- Physical activity, including stretching and cardio, can sometimes worsen the pain
- You may notice urinary complaints like urgency, frequent urination, or stinging sensations, occasionally accompanied by leakage
- Many also experience gastrointestinal symptoms—bloating, constipation, or uneven bowel routines
- While some episodes are clearly triggered by things like tampon use or sexual activity, others arise out of nowhere
- Some women live with chronic pain daily, while others manage symptoms that come and go
Associated Diagnoses
Diagnoses such as Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, Pudendal Neuralgia, Lichen Sclerosus, Lichen Planus, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are associated with pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Causes of Pelvic Pain
- Persistent infections in the vaginal or urinary areas, as well as conditions affecting digestion, skin, or reproductive health
- Underlying pelvic floor dysfunction is a common contributor for those suffering from long-standing pelvic pain
- Hormone-based prescriptions such as birth control, acne drugs, or medications used in treating reproductive disorders like PCOS and Endometriosis
- Surgeries that involve the pelvic organs—including childbirth-related operations, hysterectomies, or prolapse repairs—can have lasting effects
- Orthopedic trauma that impacts posture, muscles, or joints in the pelvic or hip regions
- Conditions such as scoliosis, SI joint issues, or hip misalignment that alter body mechanics and increase pelvic stress
- Vaginal childbirth, which places considerable demand on pelvic tissues and ligaments
- Hormonal reductions and tissue changes during menopause that impact pelvic floor support
- Genital trauma caused by practices like female genital cutting or mutilation
Causes of Pelvic Pain
- Persistent infections in the vaginal or urinary areas, as well as conditions affecting digestion, skin, or reproductive health
- Underlying pelvic floor dysfunction is a common contributor for those suffering from long-standing pelvic pain
- Hormone-based prescriptions such as birth control, acne drugs, or medications used in treating reproductive disorders like PCOS and Endometriosis
- Surgeries that involve the pelvic organs—including childbirth-related operations, hysterectomies, or prolapse repairs—can have lasting effects
- Orthopedic trauma that impacts posture, muscles, or joints in the pelvic or hip regions
- Conditions such as scoliosis, SI joint issues, or hip misalignment that alter body mechanics and increase pelvic stress
- Vaginal childbirth, which places considerable demand on pelvic tissues and ligaments
- Hormonal reductions and tissue changes during menopause that impact pelvic floor support
- Genital trauma caused by practices like female genital cutting or mutilation
Diagnostic Challenges
Sadly, for countless women grappling with pelvic pain, getting a clear and accurate diagnosis can take years. On average, studies show a delay of five years, and in cases involving Endometriosis, the wait can stretch to 11 years. One of the main reasons for this is how pelvic pain symptoms often overlap with those of more widely known conditions, such as bladder infections, sexually transmitted diseases, yeast overgrowth, and urinary issues. Because routine exams and tests may not reveal the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction, it’s often missed entirely. Women may be passed from specialist to specialist, enduring ineffective treatment after ineffective treatment. It’s no wonder so many begin physical and occupational therapy completely unaware of how central the pelvic floor may be to their condition.
Diagnostic Challenges
Sadly, for countless women grappling with pelvic pain, getting a clear and accurate diagnosis can take years. On average, studies show a delay of five years, and in cases involving Endometriosis, the wait can stretch to 11 years. One of the main reasons for this is how pelvic pain symptoms often overlap with those of more widely known conditions, such as bladder infections, sexually transmitted diseases, yeast overgrowth, and urinary issues. Because routine exams and tests may not reveal the presence of pelvic floor dysfunction, it’s often missed entirely. Women may be passed from specialist to specialist, enduring ineffective treatment after ineffective treatment. It’s no wonder so many begin physical and occupational therapy completely unaware of how central the pelvic floor may be to their condition.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
Dealing with ongoing pelvic discomfort can feel like a never-ending cycle, but for women in Agoura Hills, a pelvic floor physical and occupational therapy evaluation may offer much-needed clarity and hope. This detailed process involves analyzing your full medical history, identifying past diagnoses, and reviewing what treatments you’ve already undergone and how they’ve worked. We know that many women seeking care have been through a long, frustrating journey—often feeling ignored or misunderstood. During your evaluation, the therapist will examine not just your pelvic muscles, but also nerve pathways, soft tissues, joints, and the way you move throughout daily activities. From there, we’ll craft a fully personalized treatment plan, complete with immediate relief strategies and longer-term goals. Treatment typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions for 12 weeks, supported by individualized home exercises. To make sure your care is as effective as possible, we also communicate with your other healthcare providers, promoting a truly coordinated effort toward your recovery. Our mission is to help you move forward with less pain and renewed confidence.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
Dealing with ongoing pelvic discomfort can feel like a never-ending cycle, but for women in Agoura Hills, a pelvic floor physical and occupational therapy evaluation may offer much-needed clarity and hope. This detailed process involves analyzing your full medical history, identifying past diagnoses, and reviewing what treatments you’ve already undergone and how they’ve worked. We know that many women seeking care have been through a long, frustrating journey—often feeling ignored or misunderstood. During your evaluation, the therapist will examine not just your pelvic muscles, but also nerve pathways, soft tissues, joints, and the way you move throughout daily activities. From there, we’ll craft a fully personalized treatment plan, complete with immediate relief strategies and longer-term goals. Treatment typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions for 12 weeks, supported by individualized home exercises. To make sure your care is as effective as possible, we also communicate with your other healthcare providers, promoting a truly coordinated effort toward your recovery. Our mission is to help you move forward with less pain and renewed confidence.
How Can We Help You?
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