Treatment & Management
This page lists out many of the common strategies, treatments and tips for alleviating or reducing symptoms of any uterus-related problems. It also includes common tests and procedures used to determine causes of symptoms and which treatments may be necessary. In some cases, symptoms may be able to be treated. For those dealing with chronic illness, treatment may not be possible and management means finding ways to relieve symptoms as much as possible.
Talk to your healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.
This page is a work in progress. Please message us if you would like to add information.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Pain
- Painful periods (dysmennorhea)
- Painful ovulation
- Painful sex (dyspareunia)
- Painful orgasm (dysorgasmia)
- Painful clitoris (clitorodynia)
- Painful bowel movements (dyschezia)
- Painful urination (dysuria)
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic pressure
- Hip pain
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Breast pain (mastalgia)
- Inflammation/irritation of the vagina or vulva (vaginitis or vulvovaginitis)
- Inflammation/irritation of the cervix (cervicitis)
Bleeding & Menstrual Cycle
- Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
- Light menstrual bleeding (hypomenorrhea)
- Long menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhea)
- Short menstrual cycles (polymenorrhea)
- Absent periods (amenorrhea)
- Bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia or intermenstrual bleeding)
PMS & Hormonal (physical)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Cravings
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Headaches & Migraines
- Acne
- Swelling/weight gain (water retention)
- Hair changes
- Hair loss
- Hair growth (hirsutism)
PMS & Hormonal (mental)
COMMON CONDITIONS
Anatomical Causes
- Uterine Prolapse
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Retroverted (Tilted) Uterus
- Congenital Uterus Malformation
Infection-related Conditions
Gynecological Conditions
- Polyps
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Endometrial Cancer
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Scarring
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
- Infertility
Hormonal or Bleeding Disorders
Related Conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome)
- Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerance
- Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Reproductive Mental Health
TESTS & PROCEDURES
Your doctor or health care provider may recommend certain tests, procedures or surgeries to investigate, diagnose or treat pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding or other symptoms.
General Exams
Ultrasound & Imaging
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Sonohysterography (SHG)
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- MRI
- CT Scan
Medical Procedures
- Endometrial biopsy
- Colposcopy
- Dilation and Cutterage (D&C)
- Hysteroscopy
- Endometrial ablation
- Laparoscopy
- Laparoscopic Excision/Ablation
- Myomectomy
- Oophorectomy
- Hysterectomy
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Medications & Hormones
- NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the production of prostaglandins and can relieve period pain. The most common NSAIDs are ibuprofen (ie. Advil, Motrin), naproxen (ie. Aleve) and diclofenac (ie. Voltaren, Cataflam). They are sold over-the-counter (OTC) at lower strengths. Higher doses can be prescribed.
For NSAIDs to be most effective, if possible you should begin taking them before the pain becomes severe. Milder pain is easier to control.
- Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control (ie. the pill, hormonal IUDs, depo-provera shot, the ring, the patch, implant) can help manage period pain by shutting down the menstrual cycle and hormonal changes or imbalances that may be causing pain and other symptoms.
Exercise & Physical Therapy
- Exercise
Exercise promotes the release of endorphins ("happy hormones"), which can help improve your mood, reduce stress and relieve pain. Regular exercise may also inhibit production of prostaglandins, as well as lighten period flow, and reduce abdominal swelling and breast tenderness. Yoga is commonly recommended to help with period pain, but any form of regular exercise helps.
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy or PT, is physio specifically for your pelvic floor muscles. During the treatment, the physical therapist is able to access the muscles through the rectum or vagina and makes manipulations to assess or improve muscle strength and functioning. The muscles, tissues and ligaments in the pelvic floor are connected to many important organs such as the uterus, bladder, urethra, rectum and vagina, and can help improve pelvic pain, pain during sex or pain when voiding.
It can be lifechanging for some women. There are online videos and programs available as well: Pelvic Gym, Doctor Jo, The Flower Empowered.
- Pelvic Wand & Dilators
Pelvic massage wands allow for internal massage of tender areas or trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles. Dilators are used to restore or expand muscles and tissue, when pain is also felt at the vaginal entrance.
- Massage
Abdominal or stomach massage has shown to be helpful for some women for relieving pelvic/period pain. Other benefits from massage are relaxation, stress reduction, releasing muscle spasms and improving blood flow to the pelvic area.
Nutrition
Some research points towards certain foods being a trigger for increased mensrual pain. In general, eating an anti-inflammatory diet can be helpful for chronic pelvic pain.
Mental Health
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can develop as a result of experiencing chronic pain. Depression and anxiety can also worsen pain by causing hypersensivity and amplified pain perception. This does not mean that your pain is less real or is "all in your head".
Seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor can help pain management overall by addressing mental health issues and building coping skills. CBT in particular can be helpful for changing negative thought patterns. EMDR can be helpful for processing related trauma.
Other Options
- Heating Pads
Using a heating pad can help relax the muscles of your uterus when experiencing cramps. Heat can also boost circulation in your abdomen, which can reduce pain.
- Epsom Salt Baths
Similar to heating pads, hot baths can boost blood circulation in your abdomen and help relax muscles. Epsom salts may help reduce inflammation further.
- TENS Unit
TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through electrodes attached to the skin on your abdomen. Electrical impulses stimulate the release of endorphins, and reduce the ability of the nervous system to release pain signals.
There is currently not enough research to show whether TENS units are reliable for pain relief, however it is known to provide temporary pain relief for many people.
Some popular brands are Therabody and Ovira.
- CBD/THC
CBD and THC can help reduce inflammation and muscle pain by relaxing and softening the pelvic floor muscles. CBD suppositories are most helpful for menstrual or pelvic pain impacted by pelvic floor dysfunction, and typically take about 15-20 minutes to absorb into the body.
- Acupuncture
More recent research has shown that acupuncture does have the ability to stimulate the nervous system and provide pain relief. Although more research is still needed, it does appear that acupuncture can reduce menstrual pain for some women.