Female Genital Cutting (FGC) can be extremely damaging to a woman’s life. FGC can occur in any of four different stages, ranging from the removal of the clitoris to stitching the labia together. All stages can impact a woman’s sexual, physical, and mental health.

A study published by The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (June 2007), researched the long-term affects of FGC by comparing the health of women who underwent FGC to women who did not. The study examined 264 newly married women, of which 76% had undergone FGC. The study found that women who experienced FGC were more likely to also experience painful menstrual periods, sexual dysfunction (loss of libido and failure to orgasm), intercourse pain, marital problems, and obstetric problems (tears during birth and episiotomies).

The study took an important step by defining what problems exist for women who have undergone FGC. However, if these women are to receive true benefit or help, we need to probe further and examine what treatment options can help.

We believe that manual physical therapy is one option that should be considered. CPT treated its first patient with FGC when a young woman came to us for the treatment of blocked fallopian tubes. We found that the circumcision she experienced caused scar tissue to form, creating tension throughout her vagina. Our therapists surmised that this constant tension caused chronic inflammation within her vagina and reproductive tract, creating more adhesions that eventually blocked her fallopian tubes.

Our therapists gently worked with this woman to reduce tension and restore proper mobility to her reproductive tract. After treatment, she completed a follow-up test and found that her fallopian tubes had opened. She also found that our treatment helped reduce intercourse pain, improve sexual function, and reduce menstrual pain.

To learn more about our treatment for FGC, please visit our FGC page.

The 9th right of Dr. Carolyn Demarco’s A Woman’s Bill of Rights states, “I have a right to refuse any drug or surgical treatment.”

In the highly individualized and independent culture of the United States, many people do not have difficulty stating exactly what they want or don’t want. But for women who face chronic pain or infertility, their refusal of drugs or surgical treatment may mean they are out of conventional treatment options. This can be a very scary situation for any woman.

Reese, a former CPT patient, experienced this situation after multiple surgeries for bowel obstructions. Reese learned from her doctor in 2008 that abdominal adhesions had grown back for the 7th time after. She would need another surgery to remove the adhesions that were slowly blocking her intestines. Reese told us, “I did NOT want to live this way, having surgery after surgery just to stay alive.” However, Reese didn’t know what else she could do.

She had previously heard of Clear Passage Therapies (CPT) and contacted us for more information. Belinda Wurn, who founded CPT and has also experienced bowel obstructions, called Reese. After a lengthy conversation, Reese decided to attend treatment. Out therapists worked meticulously to decrease adhesions in her abdomen and free her intestines. After treatment, Reese reported, “I could barely believe how much better I felt. I was no longer near tears in pain with each breath and step I took! I had a total of five bowel movements that night and the next morning. I was beside myself!”

Reese’s full story will be featured in our upcoming book, Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain, along with the stories of other women who refused drugs or surgery for bowel obstructions, chronic pain, infertility, endometriosis, and many other conditions. Choosing to forego drugs or surgical treatment can be scary, but there are other treatment options available that work. To read an excerpt of a story about a woman who refused surgery to remove a fallopian tube blocked with hydrosalpinx, please see Resolving Hydrosalpinx. If you would like to learn more about our treatment for bowel obstructions, please visit our bowel adhesions page.

Endometriosis is a crippling disease for many women. Common symptoms include painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, and painful bowel movements. Many young women do not seek the help of a doctor because they believe their pain is normal – something that all women experience.

Unfortunately, when women finally decided to speak with their doctors, they often do not receive the correct diagnosis. A recent study published by Fertility and Sterility (Jan 2009) reviewed the experiences of 4,343 women with endometriosis. The study found that 63% of the women had been told by a doctor that “nothing was wrong with them.” This is an absolutely horrifying statistic. Over half of the women who sought help for debilitating pain caused by endometriosis were told they were fine!

What’s behind this statistic? First, endometriosis is a difficult disease to diagnose. A doctor can only make a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis through direct visualization during laparoscopic surgery. Second, symptoms of endometriosis are commonly associated with other disorders, making it hard for doctors to piece together the actual cause. Third, doctors who do not specialize in female disorders may not readily recognize endometriosis symptoms. The above study found that women who spoke with a gynecologist about their pain were more likely to be correctly diagnosed than those who went to a general practitioner.

If you suspect you might have endometriosis, speak with a gynecologist about your symptoms. Do not be afraid to mention that you feel your symptoms could be related to endometriosis. If your doctor still feels there is “nothing wrong with you,” do not give-up! Seek a second opinion. All of the women in study above eventually learned that they did in fact have endometriosis – but they had to speak with more than one doctor to get the correct diagnosis.

A study released in December 2008 by Fertility and Sterility, evaluated the outcome of women undergoing an intrauterine insemination (IUI) with clomiphene citrate (CC). The study examined over 4,100 cycles and found that age drastically impacted pregnancy rates. They found a significant drop in success rates for women aged 41-42. However, the drop for women over age 42 was so sharp that the study concluded, “CC with IUI has virtually no place in the treatment (of infertile women over age 42).”

Every cycle counts for women with advanced reproductive age. This study can help women and their doctors to make better treatment options for each cycle.

The study also found that pregnancy rates dropped for women undergoing a 3rd through 9th IUI cycle. Women were more likely to become pregnant if it was their first or second IUI cycle.

In Dr. Carolyn Demarco’s A Woman’s Bill of Rights, her 7th right states, “I have a right to choose natural therapies and not be ridiculed for doings so.”

It has unfortunately been my personal experience and that of many other women that this right is not upheld. Earlier in this blog, I shared the experience of Jocelyn, whose FSH level was 14.2. She refused traditional treatment options and decided to come to CPT. Jocelyn was originally discouraged from attending treatment by her reproductive endocrinologist (RE). When she asked her RE what he thought of CPT, he sternly stated it would be a waste of her time and money. Fortunately, she decided to attend and became naturally pregnant one week after treatment.

Another patient, Hannah, was diagnosed with endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes. Her doctor told her she would never be able to become pregnant naturally. Hannah searched for alternative treatments and decided to attend treatment at CPT. Because she wanted to attend our clinic in California, she needed a referral form from her doctor. Hannah told us, “My doctor scoffed at the treatment and refused to sign the paperwork. I didn’t give up, and finally he reluctantly signed.” After treatment, Hannah returned to her doctor for a follow-up HSG. When he saw her test, he told her, “I cannot believe what I am seeing. You have the tubes of a 20-year-old that has never had any problems. There is no reason you cannot get pregnant.” Shortly afterward, Hannah became naturally pregnant and today has a healthy baby boy.

Unfortunately, experiences like Jocelyn’s and Hannah’s are not uncommon. We continually hear of women who are discouraged by their doctors to pursue natural treatment options. Luckily for Jocelyn and Hannah, they went with their intuition and were eventually able to have children. But for other women, the opinion of their doctors is enough to deter them from natural treatments that may be able to help – whether that be CPT, a mind-body program, acupuncture, or other treatment.

If your doctor has discouraged you from a natural treatment, first understand that he or she may be unfamiliar with this treatment and therefore cannot legally recommend it. You may need to provide your doctor with more information about the treatment you wish to try. If your doctor is still not receptive, it may be time to seek a second opinion.

When a woman comes to CPT with secondary infertility, one of the first questions our therapists ask is, “Did you have a C-section?”

Through years of experience, our therapists have found that c-sections frequently cause adhesion formation within the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Adhesions can impede fertility by blocking the fallopian tubes, restricting the uterus, pulling on the ligaments attached to the uterus, and many other ways.

Scientific studies have demonstrated the direct link between c-sections and adhesion formation time and time again. A new study released by Fertility and Sterility (Dec 2008) went a step further and found that the appearance of a c-section scar can predict the severity of adhesion formation within the abdomen.

The study examined 101 women who had previously undergone a c-section. The scientists first examined the c-section scar and noted pertinent characteristics, such as if the scar was flat or depressed (going into the skin). The scientists then examined intra-abdominal adhesions when the women had a second c-section (all women who enrolled in the study planned to have a second c-section).

The study found that 43% of the women had adhesions (either filmy or dense). Of these women, the only significant indicator of adhesions was a depressed scar.

If you are currently struggling with secondary infertility after a c-section, you may find it beneficial to examine your scar to see if it is indented into your abdomen. If it is, you may want to learn more about how adhesions can impact your fertility, or read our article, “How Adhesions Form and Impair Fertility.”

If your scar is not depressed, you are still not out of the clear. Adhesions can form after a c-section and not cause an indented scar.  To learn more about common signs of adhesion formation, please visit our adhesion and fertility page.

A tailbone pushed forward can pull on the spinal cord, causing tension at the base of the skull

If you experience chronic headaches and are currently sitting, the answer to your problem may be directly underneath you – your tailbone.

Although you may never have thought of your tailbone and skull as connected, they are in fact united by the dura. The dura is the thick collagenous covering of the spinal cord that runs from the base of the skull all the way down to the tailbone. When a person experiences a serious trauma (such as a car accident or fall), the tailbone can be pushed forward or to one side. When it is out of its correct position, the tailbone can pull on the dura, creating tightness at the base of the skull and recurrent headaches.

Years ago, Belinda and Larry Wurn treated a patient, Michael, who was in a serious construction accident. When Michael came for treatment, he experienced chronic pain throughout his body, walked with a severe limp, and had minimal function of his hands. The Wurns enabled Michael to walk properly, regain full use of his hands, and break free from the constant pain throughout his body. However, Michael still experienced severe headaches daily.

Determined to help, the Wurns paid special attention to the tissues around Michael’s head. While tractioning his head, Larry noticed an “anchoring sensation.” Larry explained, “It felt like the tissues of his neck and at the base of his skull were anchored much further down.” After discussing his findings with Belinda, they decided to treat Michael’s tailbone. After treatment, Michael never experienced headaches again.

If you would like to learn more about how adhesions may be causing your chronic headaches, please visit our headaches page. To learn more about treatment for tailbone pain or dysfunction, please visit our tailbone page.

When Jocelyn and her husband decided to have a second child, they never expected they would struggle to become pregnant. Four years earlier, they had become pregnant and given birth without any problems.

Jocelyn sought the help of her doctor, who performed a series of tests and found that her FSH was 14.2. Most reproductive endocrinologists recommend a FSH from 1-10 to conceive naturally. Her doctor referred her to a reproductive endocrinologist who confirmed that her FSH was too high and suggested she try IVF.

“I’m a naturalist,” Jocelyn told us. “I wasn’t excited with this option.” She decided to look for alternative treatments on her own and found CPT. She came to us for a week of treatment. One week after she returned home, Jocelyn became naturally pregnant and is now six months pregnant.

Jocelyn’s story is a testament to the importance of listening to your intuition and doing what you feel is right for you – whether that be conventional treatment or treatment with us. Her full story will be featured in our upcoming book, Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain, along with the stories of 75 former CPT patients. Please visit our hormonal infertility page to learn more about our treatment for premature ovarian failure and hormonal infertility.

In the past, a fallopian tube swollen and filled with liquid (a hydrosalpinx) was considered beyond repair and non-functional. In fact, many reproductive endocrinologist still feel the best way to treat a hydrosalpinx is to remove the tube and proceed with IVF.

Belinda and Larry Wurn opened Clear Passage Therapies when they discovered their manual physical therapy could open blocked fallopian tubes. What they didn’t know at the time was that their therapy could also treat a hydrosalpinx.

After a few patients with hydrosalpinx came for treatment and their tubes unexpectedly opened afterward, the Wurns began treating hydrosalpinx regularly. Scientific studies and data have shown that their treatment resolves 50% of hydrosalpinx cases.

One such instance was that of Gabriel. After adhesions had formed around her right fallopian tube from an earlier nephrectomy (removal of a kidney), doctors removed the tube. Gabriel later learned that her left tube was blocked with hydrosalpinx. Her doctor advised her to have the tube surgically removed and then proceed with IVF. Gabriel decided to wait and consider her options.

During this time, she came across the CPT website and decided to come to our clinic for an intensive week of therapy. The next month, Gabriel became naturally pregnant. She told us, “Our pregnancy was beautiful. I just loved being pregnant. The delivery was magical and more tears of joy flowed.”

Gabriel’s full story, along with the stories of 75 former CPT patients, will be featured in our upcoming book Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain. Please visit our hydrosalpinx page if you would like to learn more about our treatment for hydrosalpinx.

On the web today, you can find various proclamations and bills of rights about women’s health. Below is a bill of rights by Dr. Carolyn Demarco from Take Charge of Your Body – Women’s Health Advisor.  This bill of rights stands apart from others because it addresses issues important to women struggling with infertility, sexual dysfunction, and pain. In the upcoming weeks, I will share patient stories, studies, and personal experiences at CPT that highlight the importance of each of these rights. To read these stories, please click on any of the links below.

1. I have a right to be treated as an equal human being.
2. I have a right to be listened to and have my problems taken seriously.
3. I have a right to an explanation that I can understand in my native language (using a translator if necessary) on any questions concerning my health care.
4. I have a right to know the choices I face in getting treated for any health problem and to have the possible side effects of any drugs or surgical treatment clearly explained.
5. I have a right to choose the types of treatment I prefer from among the options offered to me by my doctor.
6. I have a right for normal events in my life, such as pregnancy and menopause, not to be treated as diseases requiring treatment.
7. I have a right to choose natural therapies and not be ridiculed for doing so.
8. I have a right to request a second opinion on any major surgery or health decision.
9. I have a right to refuse any drug or surgical treatment.
10. I have a responsibility to become knowledgeable about my body and how it works.
11. I have a responsibility to learn as much as possible about my health problems so I can make informed choices.
12. I have a responsibility to look after my diet, reduce stress, exercise, and relax on a regular basis.
13. I have a responsibility to avoid pressuring my doctor into giving me drugs when I don’t need them.
14. I have a responsibility to prepare my questions for my doctor beforehand and schedule adequate appointment time to discuss them.
15. I am ultimately responsible for my own health care, using my doctor as a resource rather than an authority.