Pudendum… of shame???

Recently, I was reading a NYT Science article about the origin of the term “pudendum,” or “pudendal.” To a pelvic physical therapist, the pudendal nerve is a commonly referenced and thought of part of an individual’s anatomy. However, as the article states, I never thought of the origin of the term. It turns out, pudendum is Latin for “shame.” Pudendum also used to be the commonly accepted term for a woman’s vulva. This BLOWS MY MIND!! And it has so many implications for individuals with pelvic pain.

For individuals experiencing pelvic pain, they often feel a sense of shame, like there’s something wrong with them, as they don’t feel like they can talk to their friends about pain that’s in their vagina, vulva, or rectum. It’s different than having back, knee, or even hip pain. Those are commonly accepted and well known things that feel easier to talk about. But anything having to do with our “private parts” feels somehow shameful.

Well, let me tell you… it’s not shameful! The pelvis is just another part of your body that is also made up of bones, joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and other connective tissue, all of which can be a source of pain, just like these same structures in your knee, hip, or back. 

Pelvic pain affects at least 1 in 7 women. Let me repeat… ONE IN SEVEN! That’s huge. One study reports a prevalence rate of pelvic pain of 39% in reproductive aged women. That’s about the same as the prevalence of low back pain in that same population, maybe even higher, depending on what study you look at. 

We need to free this area from the stigma that’s been associated with it since at least the 16th century, when they named our genital area based on a term that means “to be ashamed.” 

In pelvic physical therapy, we treat the pelvis with the same methods we might use if you have low back or hip pain, addressing the strength and mobility of the pelvic muscles, surrounding muscle strength and support, joint mobility and function, nerve mobility, and connective tissue mobility. We believe that you deserve to be whole and not experience this area as shameful. 

While the anatomical names of the pudendal artery, canal, and nerve are not likely changing any time soon, maybe by recognizing their origins, we can remove the shame and stigma attached, and simply treat the problem to make individuals with pelvic pain feel more whole, more connected, and free from this pain to live their lives.