Pelvic Pain
Persistent pelvic pain is a complex condition, affecting around one in five Australian women at some point in their lives. No woman living with pelvic pain should normalise the symptoms of this debilitating condition. Fortunately, once a diagnosis has been made, pelvic pain treatment can be highly effective.
Pelvic pain in women
Pelvic pain can be acute and sudden, chronic, or recurrent, and can be due to a wide variety of underlying causes. The pelvis is the area around your lower abdomen and above your thighs, containing your reproductive organs, bladder, and bowel. Less commonly, men can also experience pelvic pain, though for different reasons from women.
Persistent pelvic pain as a condition refers to pain in your pelvic area present for most days of the week and lasting for at least six months. This pain is severe enough to affect your daily life. Diagnosing and getting proper help for persistent pelvic pain can be difficult, as many women may dismiss their discomfort as normal. Some medical professionals may also lack understanding and awareness of pelvic pain, which further delays receiving effective treatment for these women.
Causes of pelvic pain
Persistent pelvic pain is highly complex. Sometimes there may be more than one contributing cause for a woman’s pelvic pain.
Among other causes, pelvic pain in women can be caused by:
- Endometriosis, a gynaecological disorder involving abnormal growth of endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) in areas outside the uterus
- Uterine fibroids, a non-cancerous growth in the muscle wall of the uterus
- Adenomyosis, abnormal growth of endometrial tissue into the muscle wall of the uterus
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), inflammation of the pelvic area often caused by sexually transmitted infections or other bacteria
- Pelvic muscle pain, spasms of the pelvic muscles in response to other causes of pelvic pain, progressing to a more constant pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder characterised by pelvic pain and discomfort, bloating, and problems with bowel movements
- Painful bladder syndrome and urinary tract infections, involving pain during urination or sexual intercourse, and frequently needing to urinate
How is pelvic pain treated?
Treatment options for persistent pelvic pain are often complex and require multidisciplinary care from a team of experienced healthcare professionals. During his examination, Dr Sam Daniels performs a thorough investigation to not only identify if a gynaecological condition is present, but also whether you may benefit from referral to another practitioner. Other healthcare professionals involved in managing pelvic pain include a gastroenterologist for IBS, a pelvic health physiotherapist for pelvic muscle pain, a pain medicine specialist, or a pain psychologist.
Effective treatment for pelvic pain is based on addressing the underlying cause. Dr Sam Daniels has specific expertise in the management of pelvic pain, and is accredited to perform highly complex surgical procedures to manage its various causes.
Endometriosis surgery
Endometriosis surgery is the gold standard for treating endometriosis and its associated symptoms of pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility. Dr Sam offers surgical excision of the abnormal endometrial tissue growth with both laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment
PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs and can cause severe pelvic pain. Treatment for PID can involve surgical drainage or removal of abscesses (a pus-filled lump caused by infection), taking antibiotics, and using medications for pain relief.
Management of pelvic floor dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be associated with pelvic pain due to your pelvic floor muscles being either too weak or too tense. The pain from this condition is often found during sexual intercourse, urination or bowel movements, and during your menstrual period. Dr Sam’s input as a gynaecologist is only one part of an effective treatment strategy, which should also involve a pelvic floor physiotherapist and sometimes also a psychologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Persistent pelvic pain rarely resolves on its own. It’s important to see a healthcare professional, whether your GP or a gynaecologist, to identify and manage the underlying cause(s) of your pelvic pain. Some of these contributing conditions can lead to complications if not addressed.
Persistent pelvic pain is defined as pain in your pelvis that is present for most days over a period for at least six months, and is severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day activities. If you are experiencing debilitating or bothersome pelvic pain, it is always worth seeking a specialist opinion to explore your treatment options for reducing pain and improving your quality of life.
Persistent pelvic pain is an exceedingly complex condition and often requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach, which may or may not include surgery. Underlying causes of pelvic pain such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts are typically most effectively managed with gynaecological surgery. Other pelvic pain causes are more appropriately treated with non-surgical interventions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or urinary tract infections. Dr Sam may refer you to and liaise with other relevant healthcare practitioners, including urologists, gastroenterologists, pain medicine specialists, pelvic floor physiotherapists, dietitians, and your GP.
Specialist care for women’s health concerns
Comprehensive care with Dr Sam Daniels is available across multiple Sydney locations, including urgent gynaecologist appointments for time-sensitive cases.