Pelvic Pain Q&A
What causes pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain can be the result of an acute or chronic issue with your urinary system or digestive system. There are also a number of gynecologic conditions that can cause chronic pelvic pain and irregular bleeding, such as:
- Polyps
- Fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Menstrual cramps
- Urinary tract infection
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
An ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage can also lead to persistent pelvic pain.
When should I seek treatment for pelvic pain?
You shouldn’t ignore unexplained pelvic pain that lasts longer than a few days. You also shouldn’t delay a diagnostic evaluation for pelvic pain that persists even with home care and over-the-counter medications.
Call McDowell Mountain Gynecology to discuss your pain and schedule an evaluation. The gynecology team offers in-office diagnostic services to quickly identify the root cause of your pain so your treatment can begin as soon as possible.
How is pelvic pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing pelvic pain starts with a review of your symptoms and a pelvic exam. During the exam, your McDowell Mountain Gynecology provider manually examines your reproductive structures to identify cysts, signs of infection, or other abnormalities that cause pain.
To further evaluate your reproductive health, the team offers laparoscopic procedures in the office. These involve inserting a tube with an attached camera through your vagina.
As the tube moves upward into the uterus, a camera sends real-time images of nearby structures to a monitor the team watches to confirm a diagnosis.
How is pelvic pain treated?
To address your pelvic pain, the McDowell Mountain Gynecology team customizes a treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Your provider discusses all of your options and works closely with you to make the best treatment decisions for pelvic pain and irregular bleeding, including post-menopausal bleeding.
Conservative therapies
If you have chronic pelvic pain from conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or cysts, you may benefit from conservative therapies like medications and hormone therapy.
Minimally invasive surgery
If conservative therapies aren’t enough to ease your pain or treat irregular bleeding, you may be a candidate for surgery. The surgical team offers laparoscopic and da Vinci robot-assisted surgeries in a hospital setting or the in-office, state-of-the-art surgical suite.
The McDowell Mountain Gynecology team continues to monitor your condition and your treatment. This ensures you live a pain-free, high-quality life while protecting the health and function of your reproductive system.
Don’t put off an evaluation of pelvic pain or irregular bleeding. Call McDowell Mountain Gynecology or request an appointment online today.
