Dr. Sonia Bahlani: Specialized Care in Pelvic&Bladder Pain—Finding the Right Doctor Shouldn't Be This Hard

Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

Do you ever wish there were more open conversations about the complexities of sexual and pelvic pain? On our latest episode we dives deep into these crucial topics with our amazing guest, Dr. Sonia Bahlani!

Join us as we explore these critical issues that affect countless women and discuss the path to better understanding and treatment.

We discuss the often misunderstood and stigmatized conditions of vaginismus and interstitial cystitis (IC), shedding light on the interplay between cultural influences, psychological factors, and the critical importance of specialized care.

Highlights:

• Personal and Professional Journeys: Learn about Dr. Bahlani's unique career path, including her transition from general gynecology to specializing in pelvic pain, and her dedication to comprehensive patient care.
• Cultural and Psychological Insights: Dr. Bahlani delves into how cultural stigmatization, especially in South Asian communities, contributes to conditions like vaginismus. These cultural influences often prevent women from seeking the treatment they need.
• Beyond Physical Pain: We both emphasize that the absence of pain is not equivalent to experiencing pleasure and discuss the comprehensive treatments required for conditions such as vaginismus and IC, extending beyond just physical pain.
• The Spectrum of Pelvic Pain: Discover the complexities of IC, also known as painful bladder syndrome. Dr. Bahlani explains how IC is a spectrum condition with varying treatment approaches for different types of lesions, including both topical steroids and oral medications.
• The Role of Diet: We dive into the nuanced role of diet in managing IC and the conflicting data surrounding its effectiveness. Learn about how only a small percentage of patients are diet sensitive.
• Patient Empowerment: We stress the importance of patient education and self-advocacy, encouraging listeners to be proactive in seeking specialized care and understanding their bodies.
• Navigating Online Resources: The conversation touches upon the dual-edged sword of using online resources and social media for medical information. Both doctors caution against the potential stress and misinformation that can arise.
• Healthcare System Challenges: The challenges of providing adequate care within a healthcare system constrained by high patient volumes and insurance limitations are addressed, highlighting the need for better specialized training in sexual health.

Who else would you like us to interview? This podcast exists so you can be better educated and advocate for yourself. Please share, subscribe, and give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!

Guest Bio:

Dr. Bahlani graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree and then went on to receive her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine in Richmond, VA. She completed her residency in OB/GYN at New York Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center. After her residency, Dr. Bahlani joined the Smith Institute following a fellowship in urology under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Moldwin, a leader and innovator in the field of pelvic pain.

As the 2014 recipient of the Marinoff Career Development Award from the National Vulvodynia Association, Dr. Bahlani has been able to continue her clinical and research interests in the treatment of vulvodynia and sexual pain.

She’s been invited to present her research at multiple conferences, including the International Association for the Study of Pain, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, and the American Urologic Association. Dr. Bahlani has also been published in top national and international journals and has appeared on Dr. Oz.

Most recently, Dr. Bahlani was named a recipient of New York Super Doctors 2022, a prestigious accolade awarded to leaders in medical excellence. Dr. Bahlani’s specialized training allows her to treat patients with urologic and gynecologic pelvic pain syndromes, such as vulvodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, vulvar dermatoses, and female sexual dysfunction. As a clinician and through her continual pursuit of knowledge and research, Dr. Bahlani always strives to achieve her ultimate goal of enabling women to spend less time in pain and gain the tools they need to live their lives to the fullest.

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