I have pain or discomfort in my pelvic area

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), sometimes called interstitial cystitis (IC), is a condition of bladder pain or discomfort with a frequent and often urgent need to pass urine (pee).

Symptoms include:

• An urgent need to urinate, both in the daytime and during the night
• A frequent need to urinate. People with severe cases of IC may urinate as many as 20 times a day or more. This condition is more common in people with female genitalia
• Pressure, pain and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis and perineum (the area between the anus and vulva or scrotum)
• A bladder that won’t hold as much urine as it did before
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Learn more about BPS and IC symptoms, diagnosis and treatments

Learn how you can change your diet to treat BPS and IC

The pudendal nerve provides sensation to the genital area, anus and perineum (the area between the anus and vulva or scrotum). Originating from the sacral nerve roots, the pudendal nerve and runs through the pelvis and supplies the external genitalia and perineal muscles.

Pudendal nerve pain is a complex condition caused by irritation, compression, damage or decreased mobility of the pudendal nerve. This can result in discomfort, abnormal sensation, increased sensation or pain in these areas.

Endometriosis occurs when cells and tissue similar to those in the lining of the uterus grow outside of the uterus. 

Ep. 41 - Navigating endometriosis with Jill Mueller

Lichen sclerosus is a skin disease that causes itchy and painful patches of thin, white, wrinkled-looking skin.

Lichen sclerosus is treated with cortisone ointment first for both female and male genitalia. If this doesn’t work, however, then surgery to remove the affected skin is required.

Defined as bulging or herniation of one or more pelvic organs into or out of the vagina.

Symptoms include:

• A heavy dragging feeling in the vagina or lower back
• Feeling of a lump in the vagina or outside the vagina
• Urinary symptoms such as slow urinary stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, urinary frequency or urgent desire to pass urine, and urinary stress incontinence
• Bowel symptoms, such as difficulty moving the bowel or a feeling of not emptying properly, or needing to press on the vaginal wall to empty the bowel
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse

Learn more:

• Pelvic organ prolapse
• What is a pessary?
• Pelvic organ prolapse: Pessaries, physiotherapy and surgical management with urogynecologist, Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya
• Pelvic floor muscle weakness
• Kegels – pelvic floor muscle strengthening
• Prolapse management with gynecologist Dr. Paula Espino

During and after your pregnancy you will experience many changes to your body. If you’re concerned, or if these changes are painful, you many want to seek professional help. 

Pelvic Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum

Early Postpartum Exercises

Understanding changes to your body after birth

Vaginismus is the involuntary contraction (tightening) of the muscles around the opening of the vagina. These contractions cause discomfort, burning and/or pain to the point you can’t insert a finger, tampon or penis into the vagina. 

• Learn more about vaginismus
• Types of pain
• Understanding pelvic pain
• Pain education in a nutshell
• About pelvic floor muscle tightness
• Pelvic tissue dysfunction
• Connective tissue dysfunction
• Catastrophization in persistent pain

The following are some treatments for vaginismus: 

• Accommodators and dilators
• Lubricants and moisturizers
• Reverse kegels
• Breathing exercises
• Do You Have a Sensitive Nervous System?
• How to Sleep Better
• What are my myofascial tender points?

Vulvodynia is a type of pain perceived in the pelvis, pelvic organs, the vagina and/or the external female genitals (vulva).

Learn more about vulvodynia

Ep. 27 - Vulvovaginal pain with Laura Werner

The following are some treatments for vaginismus: 

Accommodators and dilators

Lubricants and moisturizers

Menopause can cause physical changes to the vulva, vagina and lower urinary tract. Symptoms of menopause can include:

• Genital symptoms like dryness, burning and irritation
• Sexual symptoms such as lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function
• Urinary symptoms such as urgency, dysuria (pain, burning, itching or stinging), and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

If you have symptoms like this related to menopause, please visit your family doctor or nurse practitioner for further advice. You can also visit a physiotherapist who specializes in the pelvic floor to discuss exercises that may improve your symptoms.

Ep. 54 - Vulvovaginal hormone therapy with urologist Dr. Rachel Rubin

Lichen sclerosus is a skin disease that causes itchy and painful patches of thin, white, wrinkled-looking skin.

Lichen sclerosus is treated with cortisone ointment first for both female and male genitalia. If this doesn’t work, however, then surgery to remove the affected skin is required.

Prostatitis is pelvic and or genital pain or discomfort that may also include urinary and sexual problems. It is usually, but not always, associated with prostate inflammation or infection. 

Learn more about prostatitis

Pain in your scrotum may come from organs in your scrotum such as the epididymis or testicle spermatic cord, or from outside the scrotum such as a kidney stone or inguinal hernia.

Learn more about scrotal/testicular pain