Women’s Health: Make a Plan to Manage Your Painful Conditions and Thrive

There are many painful ailments that affect the female population. Some of them are due to endometrial growths that occur in improper areas of the body, or that develop and grow into cysts that can burst and lead to debilitating agony. Two of the most common issues of the female reproductive system are:

1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is an endocrine disorder that can lead to painful cysts, along with a host of other symptoms that includes infertility, and a high risk for developing diabetes.

2. Endometriosis: Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium (a lining within the uterus) grows outside the uterus. This can cause pain during a variety of life moments, including menstruation, intercourse, relief of the bowel or uterine system; and can also be a cause of infertility.

What can a woman do to control the pain associated with gender-specific pelvic/abdominal conditions?

The first step in tackling the pain associated with PCOS or endometriosis is to get a proper diagnosis. It can be very tempting to diagnose yourself, but there are many conditions that cause pain in the pelvic or abdominal areas. Your doctor may begin by suggesting blood tests, a pelvic exam, and maybe an ultrasound or laparoscopy to check for cysts and endometrium growths.

Once a diagnosis is made, a proper plan can be put into place with the help of your healthcare team, which can include your general practitioner and a variety of other specialists depending upon your concerns, including a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a dietician, and a pain specialist.

They may recommend…

– Pain Medications: Often, an over-the-counter NSAID or naproxen can help PCOS and endometriosis sufferers get through their menstrual cycle with less pain. However, these conditions do sometimes lead to extreme pain. If that’s the case with you, talk to your pain specialist about safe ways to combat excessive anguish caused by immoderate endometrium implants or burst ovarian cysts.

– Hormone Therapy: It may sound scary if you’ve never looked into it, but hormone therapy can be as simple as finding the right birth control that helps control your symptoms. There are several types of birth control – so take your time researching how each will affect your body. Note that hormone therapies do not cure either PCOS or endometriosis. However, they do disrupt symptoms while in use.

– Lifestyle Changes: For both of these conditions, it’s important to take proper care of your body. That means adopting a diet filled with nutritious foods, and avoiding sugar. Implementing an exercise program is imperative. You don’t have to run marathons, just a simple 30-minute walk can make a difference in the way your body works.

– Surgical Intervention: If the pain is unbearable, ask your doctor about surgical interventions that could alleviate your current pain. In some cases, it may be medically necessary to remove a large cyst or portion of endometrium implant. Just remember, both of these growths can reemerge.

Endometriosis and PCOS cause a lot of issues for the women who deal with the conditions. Unfortunately, pain is one of them. However, it can be managed. Contact Premier Pain & Spine to schedule your appointment to learn how to manage your pain today.