Life After Gynecologic Cancer: Caring for Your Pelvic Health
Finishing treatment for gynecologic cancer is a huge milestone. But for many women, the effects of treatment don't necessarily end with the last surgery, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy session. Changes in the pelvic tissues, muscles, nerves, and organs can sometimes lead to symptoms that linger for months or even years.
Gynecologic cancer treatment can affect the pelvic floor in several ways. Surgery may leave behind scar tissue or changes in how the abdominal and pelvic muscles work together. Radiation can affect the flexibility and health of the tissues in the pelvis. Hormonal changes associated with certain cancer treatments can also contribute to vaginal dryness, discomfort, and changes in sexual function.
Some of the pelvic health issues women may experience after treatment include:
Urinary leakage, urgency, or frequency
Constipation, pain, and difficulty controlling bowel movements
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Pain with sexual activity
Vaginal tightness, dryness, or tissue changes
Fatigue and difficulty returning to exercise or other physical activities
Abdominal or pelvic scar tissue that feels tight or uncomfortable
It’s frustrating – just when you thought the battle was over, your body throws another curveball.
How Can Pelvic PT Help?
Pelvic physical therapy can be an important part of cancer rehabilitation. Your treatment is individualized based on your symptoms, your cancer treatment history, and—most importantly—your goals.
Depending on what you're experiencing, treatment may include exercises to improve pelvic floor strength and coordination, techniques to relax overactive muscles, scar and soft-tissue work, breathing and relaxation strategies, bladder or bowel retraining, and education about returning to exercise and other activities.
For women experiencing pain with sexual activity, pelvic PT may also address pelvic floor muscle tension, tissue mobility, and progressive desensitization techniques. Vaginal dilators may be incorporated when appropriate, along with education and strategies to make sexual activity more comfortable. Research suggests that multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy can improve pain, sexual function, urinary symptoms, and quality of life in gynecologic cancer survivors.
Your Recovery Doesn't Have to End When Treatment Does
Cancer treatment focuses on treating the cancer. Rehabilitation focuses on helping you get back to living your life.
If you're experiencing pelvic symptoms after gynecologic cancer treatment—whether you finished treatment recently or several years ago—talk with your healthcare provider about whether pelvic physical therapy may be appropriate for you.
You don't have to be embarrassed by these symptoms, and you don't have to assume they're simply a permanent consequence of cancer treatment. Feel free to reach out to us to schedule a free 15-minute virtual consultation, or if you are ready to dive into treatment, schedule a full 60-minute evaluation. Pelvic PT may be just what you or a loved one needs to start living life better!