What does it mean to be diagnosed with a life-threatening disease? Does the term only entail being given so many days, weeks, months, or years to live? Who considers conditions that aren’t potentially fatal yet induce insufferable quality of life issues? Reproductive health headlines claim that endometriosis isn’t widely recognized as a life-threatening disease. In fact, the condition … [Read more...] about We Beg to Differ: Endometriosis, Quality of Life, and Rethinking the Term ‘Life-threatening Disease’
Sexual and Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Pain and Emotional Scarring: Navigating Medical Trauma and Medical Gaslighting in Women’s Reproductive Health Care
Q: Is there more to poor bedside manner? A: Without a doubt. Q(s): Is your pain real? Is the suffering abnormal? Are your concerns valid? A(s): Yes. Absolutely. Of course. These inquiries shouldn’t even be up for discussion. Unfortunately, however, pelvic pain survivors who are denied the compassionate, comprehensive care that they deserve may dwell on the second set of posed … [Read more...] about Pelvic Pain and Emotional Scarring: Navigating Medical Trauma and Medical Gaslighting in Women’s Reproductive Health Care
Bracing for and Embracing the Cycle: Self-Help Tips for Navigating Endometriosis and Premenstrual Dysphoric Symptoms
Menstruation. Cycle. Period. Time of the month. However you slice it, for those of you who know all too well about what it feels like to have the universe stop at the first drop understand that this natural reproductive health occurrence is far from a walk in the park. In fact, it has the capacity to trigger constant dread and ‘PMS blues’. Every month, countless women, nonbinary folks, and … [Read more...] about Bracing for and Embracing the Cycle: Self-Help Tips for Navigating Endometriosis and Premenstrual Dysphoric Symptoms
When to Talk to A Healthcare Provider About Pelvic Pain
One third of women will experience pelvic pain over their lifetime. Anytime you notice a change in what is normal for you, it is important to keep track of this change and speak with your doctor. If your doctor dismisses you, make sure to seek out a second opinion. Below are 5 symptoms that you should talk to your health care provider about: Pain with penetration: Penetration could include … [Read more...] about When to Talk to A Healthcare Provider About Pelvic Pain
Sexual Issues in the Time of Quarantine
Quarantining with a partner can present a myriad of issues—changes in power dynamics and roles in the relationship due to job changes or job loss, coparenting while trapped together, stressors related to worrying about older or at risk family members, loss of alone time, inability to engage in enjoyable hobbies or coping skills, etc. All of these challenges can of course spill over into our sex … [Read more...] about Sexual Issues in the Time of Quarantine
Expanding Your Sexual Menu
Over the course of a long-term relationship there will be points where penetrative sex is not an option, or when couples want to expand their sexual repertoire even if penetrative sex is still an option. Common reasons why couples must sometimes take penetrative sex off the table include when the female partner is struggle with a sexual or pelvic pain condition, when a partner is receiving … [Read more...] about Expanding Your Sexual Menu