What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis (endo) is a condition in which cells similar to those lining the uterus grow OUTSIDE of the uterus (rude, right?).
Endo can grow on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, or the intestines.
Common symptoms of endo include:
- Abdominal/low back pain
- Severe (sometimes debilitating) menstrual pain/cramps
- Rectal pain
- Pain with intercourse
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Endometriosis can typically be diagnosed by symptoms, but in order to be definitively diagnosed, there has to be a laparoscopic surgery including a biopsy of the endo.
What is adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis (adeno) is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
Common symptoms of adeno include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Severe cramping
- Pain with intercourse
- Blood clots (think bigger in size and/or quantity) that pass during the periods
How is adenomyosis diagnosed?
Adenomyosis can be diagnosed through pelvic exams, ultrasound, imaging scans and biopsy.
What do endo and adeno have to do with the pelvic floor?
- The pain in the abdomen can lead to tension in the pelvic floor, low back, and abdominals
- Overtime, the tension can lead to pain and difficulty with relaxation, making any existing pain with intercourse and period pain worse
- The tension can also lead to an increase in constipation, leakage, bladder urgency/frequency, rectal spasms, and tailbone pain
What are some of the suggested treatments for adeno and endo?
ENDO:
- Medication to stop periods
- Progesterone only birth control
- Excision surgery (much more the gold standard than endometrial ablation)
- Targeted supplements
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
ADENO:
- Medications to reduce bleeding
- Hysterectomy
- Targeted Supplements
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can be helpful in managing symptoms associated with BOTH. It cannot remove or cure endo/adeno, but Pelvic Floor PT can greatly improve function as well as teach pain management strategies.
What do we do at OrthoPelvic PT to help manage endo/adeno symptoms and improve function?
- LOTS of manual/visceral work to the abdomen, low back, glutes, hips, and then externally AND internally on pelvic floor
- Trigger point release to pelvic floor
- Suggested wand/dilator use
- Deep breathing, stress management strategies
- Nutritional guidance: elimination or anti-diet, water intake, watching inflammatories
- Stretching, mobility work, strengthening exercises
- Colon massage, constipation strategies, toileting tips
- Pain management strategies
Addressing endo/adeno requires a multifaceted approach among a compassionate, knowledgeable care team, and pelvic floor PT should always be a part of that team.
If you suffer from endometriosis and adenomyosis, it may feel like your body just can’t work the way you want it to and never will, but there IS relief to be had and strategies to manage flare-ups and you CAN use your body the way you desire. Let us become a part of your team ❤ Schedule your FREE 10-minute consult call today ✨
Be empowered in education,
OrthoPelvic Physical Therapy
