Pelvic Pain Specialist

What is pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is a pain in your lower pelvis. Short-term pelvic pain lasts for less than six months, and chronic pelvic pain lasts longer. 

Short-term pelvic pain can occur for quite a few reasons, with some common examples including menstrual cramps, urinary tract infection (UTI), fallopian tube rupture, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst rupture, and miscarriage. 

Pelvic pain doesn't necessarily occur around the clock, although it can. Pelvic pain often happens during periods, but it can occur at any other time. 

What causes chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain can occur because of a number of women's health problems, including:

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines your uterus grows outside of it. The uterine lining tissue commonly grows on the uterus and other parts of your reproductive system. The tissue can eventually lead to painful cysts and adhesions — thick bands of scar tissue — that your body can't eliminate naturally.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are growths inside your uterus. Fibroids can cause abdominal and pelvic pain, along with a feeling of pressure or heaviness. 

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease can develop when an infection leads to painful scarring in your pelvic organs. The disease often occurs as a complication of two sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a disease in which bladder inflammation causes symptoms such as pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and increased urinary frequency. It's similar to a urinary tract infection in many ways, but it's a separate condition.

Recurring UTIs

Recurring UTIs can cause pelvic cramping or pain, along with more frequent urination, a strong urge to urinate, discolored urine, and painful urination. 

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts don't usually cause pelvic pain. They generally go away within a few menstrual cycles. But, if a cyst grows quite large, it could lead to pain on one side of your pelvis. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis increase your risk of ovarian cysts.

Pelvic pain can occur with many other conditions as well, such as irritable bowel syndrome, hernia, and fibromyalgia. It's important to have a thorough evaluation at Ganesh OBGYN to determine the cause of your pelvic pain.

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

At Ganesh OBGYN, you have a full diagnostic workup, including medical history, pelvic exam, and review of all your symptoms. 

You may need lab testing or imaging tests, like an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to detect abnormalities like fibroids or cysts that could be the cause of your pain. 

You may need a minimally invasive procedure, diagnostic laparoscopy, which provides a close-up view of the pelvic region from the inside of your body. It is the only test that can definitively diagnose endometriosis.

How is pelvic pain treated?

Because there are many different reasons for pelvic pain, Ganesh OBGYN provides individualized treatment plans. Treatments can include options such as medication, birth control pills, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. 

For severe, chronic pelvic pain that doesn't respond to other treatments, you may need surgery, such as laparoscopy to remove endometriosis lesions, myomectomy for fibroids, or a hysterectomy. 

Learn more about your pelvic pain treatment options by calling Ganesh OBGYN or clicking the online scheduler now.