Pelvic Pain Specialist

What causes pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain can have several causes, and a comprehensive exam and evaluation is the best way to ensure the cause of pain is properly diagnosed. Sometimes, pelvic pain has more than one source. Aside from the pain experienced with menstruation and ovulation, some of the most common causes of pelvic pain include:

• endometriosis

• ovarian cancer

• ovarian cysts

• pelvic inflammatory disease

• uterine fibroids

• miscarriage

• ectopic pregnancy

• diseases and infection of the bladder or urinary tract

• issues affecting the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments

What steps are used to diagnose the cause of pelvic pain?

First, you'll need to provide a detailed personal and family health history to look for any risk factors that cold provide clues. A pelvic exam will be performed to provide additional information, and other tests will probably be ordered, including scanning tests like ultrasounds, MRI or CT scans, as well as blood work. Other diagnostic exams may be ordered, including hysteroscopy which uses a flexible instrument to look inside your uterus.

What treatments are available for pelvic pain?

Once the source of your pain has been identified, a treatment plan will be developed to address the specific cause, which may include:

• pain relievers

• hormone therapy

• antibiotics

• physical therapy

• minimally-invasive procedures

• antidepressant medication

• hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)

• oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries)

If a cause can't be determined, your treatment will be focused on symptom relief.

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the reproductive organs which is usually caused by a sexually-transmitted disease. Mild forms of PID may be successfully treated with antibiotics, but more advanced infections with abscesses usually require surgery to erase the abscesses. In some cases, hysterectomy or oophorectomy may be recommended if cysts have formed in or on the ovaries.

*Individual results may vary.