Think you just have to deal with your pelvic pain?   Think again.   Listen in as Dr. Jessica Drummond reveals how her story led her to integrate lifestyle medicine, movement, physical therapy and nutrition for treating a wide variety of women's health concerns.   Dr. Jessica Drummond, DCN, CNS, PT, NBC-HWC Founder and CEO of the Integrative Women’s Health Institute is passionate about caring for and empowering women who struggle with women’s and pelvic health conditions. She is equally passionate about educating and supporting clinicians in confidently and safely using integrative tools to transform women’s and pelvic healthcare.   Having two decades of experience in women’s and pelvic health as a physical therapist and functional nutritionist, plus owning a private women’s health clinical nutrition and coaching practice, gives her a unique perspective on the integrative, conservative options for pelvic pain management, hormone balance, preconception and fertility support, postpartum recovery, and chronic pain and fatigue management in active and athletic women.   She regularly lectures on topics such as integrative pelvic pain management, natural fertility options, optimal hormone health, female athletes, and functional and integrative nutrition for rehabilitation, nutrition, wellness, fitness, and medical professionals.   Dr. Drummond was educated at the University of Virginia, Emory University, Duke Integrative Medicine, and Maryland University of Integrative Health.   In this episode, we dive into:   Is pelvic and sexual pain common for women? What are common times in a woman's life when this pain can be more of an issue?   What are some of the most common causes of pelvic pain?   What an integrative approach to healing looks like and how it helps women who suffer from period pain, endometriosis, vaginismus, [07:44] Vulvodynia, painful sex, and other issues.   Simple first steps you can take to move toward healing, and understanding what things can support pelvic floor health, and how to find practitioners to support you to finding the root cause of your issue.    "Anytime you're thinking you have pelvic pain, number one, it's not normal. Don't let people dismiss you. There are answers and you don't have to wait seven years. You can plow through and keep advocating for yourself and know that it's a team approach and it probably will require you to prioritize your health and that's going to be the hardest thing. Allow yourself to receive support, allow yourself to integrate self-care in your life. And those really are the two most challenging things for my patients. Once you are willing to do those things, help is available.  “  - Dr. Jessica Drummond   (Books recommended in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Pelvic-Pain-Amy-Stein/dp/0071546561/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213044770&sr=8-1   Heal Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein,    Tammy Lynn Kent, Wild Feminine http://www.wildfeminine.com/wild-feminine-book/