Pelvic Pain Specialist

What is pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain occurs mostly in your lower abdomen and can present itself in a variety of ways. You can experience steady or intermittent pain, sharp and stabbing pain in a specific spot, or a dull pain that is spread out. Sometimes, your pain may become so severe, that it disrupts your daily activities.

What causes pelvic pain?

There are many reasons why you could be suffering from pelvic pain. Your pain could be the result of multiple causes, all of which may occur at the same time. In many cases, pelvic pain can be a sign that there is a problem with one of the organs in your pelvic area, such as your uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, cervix, or vagina. Medical conditions that can cause or contribute to your pelvic pain include:

• Adhesions
• Endometriosis
• Painful bladder syndrome
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Uterine fibroids
• Vulvodynia

The intensity of your pelvic pain may not relate to the severity of the problem or condition causing the pain. For example, you could have only small areas of endometriosis, but you may experience intense, severe pain.

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

Dr. Chandrasekhara will first discuss your health history with you, as well as asking you to describe your pain. Then, she will perform a physical exam of your abdomen and pelvis to help her determine the cause of your pain. Doing so helps her to decide if other tests or procedures are necessary. Additional tests she might perform include:

• Lab tests of your blood or urine
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Pelvic laparoscopy
• Pelvic MRI
• Cystoscopy
• Colonoscopy

How is pelvic pain treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your pelvic pain, the intensity of your pain, and how often your pain occurs. Some treatment options include:

• Medicines: pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants.
• Hormonal treatment: birth control pills, gonadotropin-releasing hormone injections, or progestin-releasing intrauterine devices.
• Lifestyle changes:  diet, improved posture, and regular exercise.
• Physical therapy: massage, stretching, strengthening, or learning to relax or control pelvic muscles.
• Surgery: remove adhesions, fibroids, endometriosis, etc.

If you or a loved one is suffering from pelvic pain, call Gateway OB/GYN or request an appointment with Dr. Chandrasekhara online.