It has been three months since I had the endometriosis surgically removed via laparoscopy but my pain hasn’t really improved. After a bit of research, I came across some information that suggested chronic tensing of the pelvic floor muscles can be a cause of pain for some people and decided it might be worth figuring out if I was doing that and if so, trying to treat it.
I’ve had three appointments with a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and have been doing various stretching exercises and using dilators in combination with a relaxation CD to try and stop any tensing that may be happening during penetration. The initial stages of penetration have become easier, but I have to be careful about not hitting a spot that is located deeply on the right side as this usually just makes me tense up again. It’s hard to find a balance between doing everything as carefully as possible and being too rough about trying to move around the dilator to massage out any tension that is there, but I continue in hope that it will improve my pain.
In case all of this doesn’t work out, I have an appointment with a Gynecologist that specializes in the treatment of pelvic pain in a couple of months. My previous Gyno, though experienced in the surgical removal of endometriosis, is not experienced in treatments to provide in cases such as mine where pain persists in spite of removal. He seemed to think that the physiotherapy was a good idea at least.
Walking anything longer than a short distance is painful on most days and I still get down about it all sometimes, but the daily exercises and dilator usage at least make me feel like I’m doing something to try and get better. I want to exercise but as mentioned can’t walk for very long. I used to enjoy bike riding (which I got into after it was recommended to strengthen up my knee after surgery a couple of years ago). While it hurts less than walking while I’m actually doing it, it made my pain worse for days after and the Physio said it was a bad idea as it was likely to tighten the muscles further. She suggested swimming, but I’ve never much liked that and there is the issue of finding a bathing suit that fits.
I’m not really supposed to be having sex until I can insert the largest dilator with a discomfort level of less than a 3 out of 10, but I have had it a few times. I haven’t experienced more than slight discomfort on most occasions. Like dildos, dilators always seem to cause more pain than his Bride’s penis for some reason.
I went to an endometriosis awareness event recently with Bride which helped me to feel less alone (though unfortunately the turn out was rather low). If you’re interested in attending one, you might be able to find one that is being held in your city at Endometriosis Worldwide March. Though it was good to go with Bride, I wish I had thought to bring my parents too as there seems to be a lot they don’t understand about the condition.
