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Pelvic pain, in general, seems to be a difficult topic for many women to discuss. Maybe they want to avoid the stigma of the young girl trying to get out of PE. Maybe it’s because their pain is minimalized by general practitioners who don’t have the specialized training to recognize and treat endometriosis. Or perhaps it’s just too private.
At the Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia, we believe that if you have intense pelvic pain, you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating female reproductive issues. Dr. Melissa Delgado, and our highly trained team, including nurse practitioners Wendy Roberts and Amanda McClay, understand that many women have been living with pelvic pain for far too long without receiving the proper diagnosis and care they deserve.
That’s why we offer a safe, discreet, caring place for women struggling with unexplained pain. If we determine that you have endometriosis, we can help you understand it better, relieve your painful symptoms, offer you options, and give you some pointers on how to live with it.
One of the most common complaints among women with endometriosis is that they have never been taken seriously. Your friends, family, even doctors may dismiss your pain as mere menstrual cramps or an inability to cope with “normal pain.” If this has happened to you, you’re not alone; you’re among the 10% of women in their child-bearing years who suffer from endometriosis and go about 10 years before they ever get a diagnosis.
The first step in learning to live with endometriosis is validating your symptoms. Here at the Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia, we know your pain is real. We understand that rogue tissues growing outside your uterus where they don’t belong can cause excruciating pain that makes it hard to function. We believe you when you say a sudden cramp can stop you in your tracks. And we’re here to help with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatments, as well as some tips to make living with endometriosis easier.
While there’s no known cure for endometriosis, your diet can play a big role in the frequency and severity of your symptoms. Many women find that loading up on certain nutrients and staying away from others can mean make all the difference between a good and a bad day.
A little trial and error will help you get to know how to feed your body so it can help you manage your endometriosis symptoms.
When endometriosis first hits, you’re caught off guard and aren’t equipped to handle the pain. But you may soon be able to detect a pattern. Some have worse pain during their periods; others experience the worst of it during ovulation. You may notice a link to your diet or stress level. Whatever triggers your symptoms, be ready to address it with:
A little preparation can get you through a long, tough bout.
Exercise is almost always a good answer for what ails you, and endometriosis is no exception. Regular exercise improves your heart rate and circulation and keeps your body in the best condition to fight stress and pain. Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, chemicals in your body that naturally relieve pain.
A good stretching program like yoga can target the pelvic muscles and reduce cramps and stress as well as pain and inflammation.
Pelvic pain is a common symptom of several conditions. You may or may not have endometriosis, and you may have it in combination with any of the following:
When your symptoms overlap, it can be very difficult to self-diagnose, and that’s one more reason to seek professional care.
While being your own advocate and managing your symptoms at home are important weapons in your endometriosis arsenal, nothing beats the care and expertise of an expert. Dr. Delgado knows exactly what to look for and how to find it. Once she’s diagnosed your endometriosis, Dr. Delgado can guide you through your treatment options, such as prescription medication, acupuncture, mindfulness therapy, energy healing, and even minimally invasive surgery.
If you think you might have endometriosis or know you have it, give us a call at 571-261-8069 or request an appointment online. We’d love to help you reclaim your life.
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