Zosia Mamet of HBO's GIRLS had never heard of of pelvic floor dysfunction until she was diagnosed with it. (1) She had no idea what was causing her unbearable pelvic pain and described it as "the worst UTI" of her life, and spent years wishing for her UTI tests to come back positive so that she could have an answer. (2)

After countless negative tests, many doctors told her that the pain was all in her head and that she "needed to learn to self-soothe," until she was diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction. This diagnosis is surprisingly common, affecting about one in three women, but because there is such a wide range of symptoms, it is easily misdiagnosed. (3)

Pelvic floor dysfunction can be used to describe a pelvic floor that is too weak or tightening inappropriately, the latter being Mamet's experience.  Symptoms may include difficulty inserting a tampon, an overactive bladder, pain during sex, and trouble reaching orgasm. (4) In younger women, pelvic-floor dysfunction can be caused by childbirth, a history of sexual abuse, sports like gymnastics or horseback-riding, obesity, and smoking. (5)

"I learned the hard way that it is essential as women that we know our bodies, and that we trust them, and that we don't ever let anyone tell us that what we're feeling isn't real," Mamet said. "Just the fact that you're feeling it makes it real." (6)

Zosia, thank you for speaking out about your experience! You've made countless women feel less isolated and alone, and you've shone a bright light on this important (and common!) women's health issue.  Best of luck in your continued recovery.

Sources Cited:

(1) Kristine Thomason, Zosia Mamet Spent 6 Years Trying to Diagnose Her Pelvic Pain, Health (Feb 10, 2017). http://www.health.com/sexual-health/pelvic-floor-dysfunction
(2) The MAKERS Team, The 2017 MAKERS Conference: Zosia Mamet, MAKERS (Feb 7, 2017). http://www.makers.com/blog/2017-makers-conference-zosia-mamet
(3) Jen Gunter, PhD, San Francisco. https://twitter.com/DrJenGunter
(4) Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, The University of Chicago (2017). http://www.uchospitals.edu/specialties/pelvic/faq/pelvic-floor-disorders.html
(5) Korin Miller, Zosia Mamet's Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Felt Like the Worst UTI Ever, SELF (Feb 13, 2017). https://www.google.com/amp/www.self.com/story/zosia-mamet-pelvic-floor-dysfunction-uti/amp
(6) The MAKERS Team, The 2017 MAKERS Conference: Zosia Mamet, MAKERS (Feb 7, 2017). http://www.makers.com/blog/2017-makers-conference-zosia-mamet