The concept of well woman care being a function of OB/GYNs and Midwives has become increasingly prominent over the years, and there are many reasons for that. A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan underscores one of these reasons. It turns out that pain in the reproductive and sexual organs can be connected to seemingly unrelated issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia.
Chronic pain affects thousands of women each year, but the underlying conditions causing that pain tend to go undiagnosed in a large part of the population. IBS and fibromyalgia have varying symptoms that may be difficult to pin down, and the nature of these illnesses makes it complicated for patients to be specific about their problems, which in turn makes diagnosis more nebulous.
The University of Michigan Study, which appears in the current issue of medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, has found what appears to be a direct link between vaginal pain and chronic pain conditions. Following 2,500 women, researchers – led by Barbara D. Reed, M.D., M.S.P.H. – discovered that for women who experience vaginal pain, the chances of developing a chronic condition such as fibromyalgia or IBS was increased by as much as three times.
The vaginal pain may appear only during sex for some women, while others may experience pain during strenuous exercise or even while sitting in certain positions. While the connection between vaginal pain and chronic conditions will still need to be explored through further research, establishing this relationship is the first step, and should help guide further efforts.
One more startling aspect of the research, which involved women living in the Detroit area, was the fact that while as many as 25% of women reported vaginal pain on some level, only 2% of those same women had addressed the issue with a medical professional.
The reasons women do not talk to an OB/GYN or midwife could be related to embarrassment or the idea that this sort of pain is “not a big deal.” However, this recent study confirms that in fact vaginal pain could be an early sign of something even more serious.
The chronic nature of both fibromyalgia and IBS means that these disorders can significantly reduce the quality of life for their sufferers, but both disorders may be controllable with medications and lifestyle changes. As with anything, the earlier you are aware of the possibility of the issue, the more time you have to make sure it receives adequate treatment.
If you suffer from vaginal pain, make sure to share this information with your OB/GYN.
