Episode 1: Chronic Pelvic Pain with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald and Jessica Drummond

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), including interstitial cystitis, chronic
UTI, myofascial pain, pelvic floor pain, dyspareunia is a common,
underappreciated problem in women. Indeed, one study looking at
primary care practices found pelvic pain an issue in almost 40% of
all reproductive-aged women. CPP is also identified in men, most
commonly caused by prostadynia or prostatitis. What can we do as
functional medicine clinicians to assist this population? Turns
out, quite a bit. Listen to this very interesting and inspiring
conversation I had with Jessica Drummond, MPT, CCN, CHC, founder
and CEO of the Integrative Pelvic Health Institute. Jessica has
made it her mission to train clinicians and treat women using a
functional approach to chronic pelvic pain. As a physical therapist
who later trained in nutrition (and is currently working on her
PhD), Jessica discusses the multifactorial influences on CPP
including: gut/microbiome health, hormone imbalances, nutrient
deficiencies, stealth infections, diet, mind/body and toxins and
what to do about them for our patients.