Originally published in Williamson County Living —

Pelvic health issues aren’t the easiest subjects to talk about, but Jennifer Tatalovich, M.D., wants to empower women to speak up.

“We have so many different treatment options now,” Dr. Tatalovich said. “There is no reason to suffer in silence because we are almost always able to improve pain and quality of life through medication, surgery, or a combination of both.”

Dr. Tatalovich is one of a team of specialists at Williamson Health Urogynecology and Pelvic Health, part of Williamson Health Medical Group. This growing network has more than 50 physicians and advanced care practitioners working collaboratively to provide consistent and coordinated care through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach.

The providers at Williamson Health Urogynecology and Pelvic Health, comprised of Barry Jarnagin, M.D., Karlie Calderon, PA-C, and Dr. Tatalovich, help women dealing with everything from complicated gynecological issues to pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, urinary or fecal incontinence, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, sexual health issues and much more.

Pelvic pain is one of the conditions Dr. Tatalovich treats the most. Pelvic pain can have multiple causes, including endometriosis. Treatment often begins conservatively, Dr. Tatalovich cautioned, with birth control pills or newer hormone-blocking medications.

Surgery is usually not the first option, despite common misconceptions. “Being diagnosed with these conditions doesn’t automatically mean surgery or a hysterectomy,” she said. “With laparoscopy and other treatments, we’re sometimes able to target endometriosis lesions or fibroids without affecting a patient’s fertility.”

If surgery is determined to be the best treatment, Dr. Tatalovich and the Williamson Health Urogynecology and Pelvic Health team offer the most advanced surgical options, including laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies; minimally invasive treatments for fibroids, minimally invasive treatments for incontinence, such as slings and sacroneuromodulation, and much more.

With all these options available, Dr. Tatalovich says there’s no reason to grit your teeth and endure if you’re experiencing pelvic pain. “Pain isn’t normal,” she said. “If you’re in pain, and it’s happening on a daily or recurrent basis, we want to help you figure out what is causing it.”

Dr. Tatalovich understands that patients might feel embarrassed or nervous about talking with their physician about a pelvic health issue, but it’s often the first step to a better quality of life.

“We are a specialty practice, so when patients come to us, they’ve already tried a lot of the more common treatments and can sometimes feel a little hopeless,” Dr. Tatalovich said. “What I want our patients to know is that you’re not alone, and you do have options. The first treatment or therapy tried may not get the result we want, but we’ll keep exploring our options until we do.”

Learn more about Williamson Health Urogynecology and Pelvic Health and the compassionate, cutting-edge care these specialists provide at WilliamsonHealth.org/Urogynecology.