Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

 published 20 July 2022, updated Sept 14, 2023

If you have aches and pains in your pelvis or pubic bone, it feels “bruised,” or like you got “groin kicked,” chances are you have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Basically a fancy way of saying “It hurts there”.

https://www.healthline.com/health/symphisis-pubis-dysfunction 

The pubis symphysis is the stretchy bit of ligament between the two bones at the front, and can be where a lot of pain centres because every time you move your legs, it gets affected. You might start experiencing it at 14 weeks pregnant or 34 weeks.

One theory is that the relaxation hormone and extra weight you’re carrying can destablise your pelvis causing pain in the pelvis. Treatment focuses on alleviating pain, stabilising and adjusting the pelvis, supporting the pelvis, and supporting the hormones.

If you're having pelvic pain that is different to described above, you may have lightning crotch, nerve pain, round ligament, vulvodynia, UTI, diastasis recti, kidney issues, or something as simple as gas. Identifying what the cause is will help you treat it and get relief.

Here are some tried and true remedies for SPD/PGP gathered from real women and their midwives whose remedies have helped them

Take:

• Iodine drops 150mcg-1500mcg daily (do not take in coffee or with Vitamin C) (Iodine is good for baby too, and is helpful for female issues such as ovulation and menstruation) Around 90% of women get at least 50% relief in 3-7 days. Write to me and let me know how quickly it worked for you!

• 2x Sunflower lecithin daily (sunflower lethicin is useful postpartum for "clogged ducts" or mastitis, so it won't go to waste if you don't use the whole bottle in pregnancy)

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Do:

• Swimming

• Belt/band for support

• Exercises (look on Youtube)

• Gentle walking daily

• Sleeping on your side with pillow between legs/knees

• Cars - (be careful how you get in and out)

• Whenever getting out of bed or up from sitting, try to keep knees together

• Chiropractor

• Osteopath

• Physiotherapist
  (Ask any specialist you see what experience they have treating pregnant women)