Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and identifying the cause of pain is the key to receive the most optimal care. Some of the most common causes include:

• Reproductive organ-related causes, such as endometriosis; fibroids, cysts or adhesions (scar tissue); pelvic infection of abscess; ectopic pregnancy; tumors
• Reproductive organ-nonrelated causes such as irritable bowels, joint issues, urinary tract infection, psychological distress, or as a result of chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia
• Pelvic organ prolapse caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can also cause pelvic pain

Because pelvic pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, a thorough medical history and physical examination are crucial to find the underlying cause.

Lab tests including blood work and urinalysis may be ordered, and ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging can also be indicated. In some cases, minimally-invasive procedures such as hysteroscopy (inserting a camera inside your uterus) or laparoscopy (inserting a camera inside your belly) may be performed to see “inside and outside” your uterus and fallopian tubes, and/or biopsies of abnormal tissue may be taken for further evaluation under a direct visualization of the camera.

Treatment of pelvic pain varies based on the underlying cause and can include:

• pain killers
• antibiotics
• hormone therapy
• physical therapy and biofeedback
• laparoscopic or robotic surgery to remove fibroids, adhesions or cysts, or in severe cases or when cancer is involved, to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) or ovaries (oophorectomy)
• When possible, conservative treatments will be attempted first before more invasive approaches