Over the last several years, I’ve become more and more interested in working with female clients experiencing pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is a widely under-researched, misunderstood area of women’s health. [For the record, men, too, can experience pelvic pain, though my area of expertise lies with female pelvic pain.] For women, pelvic pain can present as vaginismus, endometriosis, vulvodynia, nerve pain, interstitial cystitis…the list goes on. All of these conditions can, and do, negatively impact one’s sexual experience, from being physically unable to have intercourse, to fearing the pain so intensely that all things falling under the umbrella of “sex” are avoided at all costs.

For those suffering from pelvic pain, my guess is you’ve been to anywhere from one to a dozen medical doctors or physical therapists, searching for answers and treatment, only to be met with uncertainty or dismissive allegations that your pain is strictly “in your head,” or to “just drink some wine” before trying to have intercourse.

You’ve been poked, prodded, and left feeling like an experiment; perhaps your relationship, work productivity, and self esteem has been negatively impacted.

While pelvic pain is a very real, physical condition that needs to be treated, we also recognize that pain has an emotional element, which can be addressed in psychotherapy. Through therapy, we work on understanding your pain and how it presents itself, your relationship to your pain, and the shame and fear associated with the pain. We work on honoring your body where it’s currently at. This doesn’t mean giving up on improving the pain; it simply means ridding yourself of shame and fear that, as we know, certainly heightens our experience of pain in general, and learning to enhance your experience of sexuality and pleasure from a place of empowerment and self-love.

In addition to psychotherapy, I like to work closely with a treatment team of sex-positive, knowledgeable physicians (OBGYNs) as well as pelvic floor physical therapists. The good news is there are several of these amazing doctors and PTs right here in Chicago! Here at Enliven, I also run a (free!) support group for women with pelvic pain, which has been an incredible resource for women who, at one time, felt like they were the only one going through pelvic pain.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in learning more about therapy or joining our support group, please feel welcome to reach out to me directly! You are certainly not alone, and should not have to go through this alone. We’re here to support, encourage, normalize, share in the triumphs, and find comfort through the pain. My direct email is a.freier@enlivenchicago.com.