Painful periods. Nausea. Severe cramping. It’s all part of being a woman. Or is it? For most of us, a couple of ibuprofen and a day or two will get us back to normal. But for an estimated 10 million women, relief is not easy to come by and may be accompanied by painful intercourse, irregular bleeding, increased gas and bloating, and infertility. “When all other causes are excluded, 90% of the time, it’s probably endometriosis.” So says Dr. Tamer Seckin, co-founder and specialist of the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA).

Co-founded with supermodel, host of Bravo’s Top Chef, and endometriosis victim, Padma Lakshmi, the EFA is focused on providing hope to women and adolescent girls suffering from this disease, believing that every stage of the disease is treatable and, with the correct surgical techniques, even curable. However, early diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial. Dr. Seckin confirms that the disease is often misdiagnosed. “When it gets serious enough, women are sent to a gastrologist or urologist and told they have cystitis. When they end up in an emergency room, they’re diagnosed with PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). Thousands of women end up with unnecessary hysterectomies” he says. According to U.S. Department of Health, most women have symptoms for 2-5 years before being correctly diagnosed.




Untreated, endometriosis becomes a lifetime sentence with monthly torture. It is also one of the top three causes of female infertility. “While it is one of the most treatable it remains the least treated,” confirms Seckin. His paradigm involves both conservative management (including birth control pills, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, exercise, etc.) and aggressive surgery to excise the lesions. Since the disease affects normal social functions, he also recommends talking about it as part of the healing process. In addition, a Women’s Health Physical Therapist (PT) specializing in pelvic floor rehabilitation can assist with diagnosis, postoperative care, and management of many of the symptoms, such as chronic low back and pelvic pain. Jennifer Small, a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy explains: “With chronic endometriosis, the pelvic floor muscles commonly become shortened (or in spasm) in response to pain. The pelvic floor is a complex series of muscles, connective tissue and ligaments that form a hammock at the bottom of the pelvis in order to support the pelvic organs. Physical therapy treatment may involve manual intervention, exercises, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and pa tient education for posture and self-treatment options.”

Dr. Small, who runs the Core Health Physical Therapy for Women clinic in Ashburn, VA, says that a PT can also assist with postoperative care to decrease abdominal scar tissue adhesions and to regain abdominal strength. “By performing abdominal manual therapy, a Women’s Health PT can improve gastrointestinal movement and decrease postoperative swelling. A PT will develop a customized fitness program that helps patients safely recover. The right fitness plan will help maintain energy levels and quality of life.”

To find a women’s health/pelvic floor Physical Therapist, go to the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Women’s Health at www.womenshealthapta.org. Click on “Consumers” and then “PT locator.”

Tamer Seckin, MD, is ranked among America’s Top Surgeons and Gynecologists, has over two decades of experience and has established himself internationally as a leading specialist in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery for the treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and associated pelvic pain. For more on his credentials and further information about EFA: http://www.endofound.org or call 212.988.4160

Dr. Jennifer W. Small founded Core Health Physical Therapy for Women in Ashburn Virginia to address the growing need for Women’s Health PT specialists. She lives in Loudoun County, has three children (ages 6, 4 and 7 months) and is an active member of several local moms’ groups. She may be contacted at: www.CoreHealthPT.com, 703.283.3311.