Chronic Pelvic Pain: How Pain Specialists Provide Relief

Living with chronic pelvic pain can make even simple daily activities feel impossible. This persistent condition affects millions of Americans, impacting their work, relationships, and quality of life.

Metro Healthcare Partners understands the challenges you face, and our pain management specialists in Brooklyn, NY, can help you find relief. In this guide, we will explain chronic pelvic pain and the available treatment options to help you regain control of your life.

The Most Common Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain often stems from various underlying conditions that require proper medical attention. Understanding chronic pelvic pain causes and treatments can help you take the first step toward relief. Common causes include:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Fibroids
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Previous pelvic injuries
• Stress and depression

Pelvic pain is most common among women, with 13 to 32% of those of child-bearing age experiencing pain that’s severe enough to prevent them from going to work, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 

Chronic Pain Can Affect Multiple Areas of Your Life

Living with chronic pelvic pain creates ripple effects throughout daily life that can profoundly impact overall well-being. At work, persistent pain often interferes with concentration and productivity, potentially affecting job performance and career advancement. Many people report difficulty sitting for long periods or maintaining focus during important tasks.

The condition frequently strains intimate relationships, as pain can make physical intimacy uncomfortable or impossible. Partners may struggle to understand the invisible nature of chronic pain, leading to communication challenges and emotional distance.

Physical limitations extend beyond intimacy. Routine activities like exercise, housework, or playing with children become increasingly challenging, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle that can further impact health.

The ongoing stress of managing chronic pain frequently leads to anxiety and depression, affecting mental health and emotional resilience. Many people report feeling isolated or misunderstood, particularly when pain isn’t visible to others. This emotional burden can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues who may not fully grasp the condition’s far-reaching impact on daily life.

How a Specialist Diagnoses Your Condition

Getting an accurate diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain marks the crucial first step in your journey to relief. Your healthcare provider will use various diagnostic tools to identify the root cause of your pain:

• Comprehensive medical history review: Your doctor will thoroughly review your medical history, including past conditions, surgeries, pregnancies, and patterns in your symptoms, to establish potential underlying causes.
• Physical examination: A physical examination allows your doctor to identify areas of tenderness, abnormal masses, or restricted movement in your pelvic region and surrounding areas.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests like MRI, ultrasound, and X-rays provide detailed views of your pelvic organs, bones, and soft tissues to detect structural abnormalities or disease.
• Laboratory tests: Laboratory tests, including blood work, urine analysis, and cultures, help identify infections, hormonal imbalances, or inflammatory conditions contributing to your pain.
• Laparoscopic examination when necessary: When other tests prove inconclusive, a laparoscopic examination uses a small camera inserted through tiny incisions to directly visualize pelvic organs and identify conditions like endometriosis or adhesions.

Receiving a diagnosis is crucial to finding relief, especially since the pain could point to other issues. According to the JAMA network, 50 to 90% of patients with chronic pelvic pain have additional issues with musculoskeletal dysfunction. 

Pelvic Pain Management Options

Seeing a specialist about pelvic pain is the best way to treat it and find relief. Depending on the severity of your conditioner, your physician may recommend any of the following treatments or a combination of them. 

Medications To Help With the Pain 

Your doctor may prescribe medications tailored to your symptoms and underlying condition. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce inflammation and discomfort.

For cases involving infection, your doctor will prescribe targeted antibiotics. When pain is severe, prescription medications such as muscle relaxants or specific pain relievers may be recommended under careful supervision.

Non-Surgical Chronic Pelvic Pain Relief Techniques 

Several non-surgical treatments for pelvic pain can prove highly beneficial. Physical therapy incorporating specialized exercises strengthens pelvic floor muscles and improves flexibility. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and biofeedback help manage pain and reduce muscle tension.

Trigger point injections target specific areas of muscle tension with local anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication. Heat therapy through warm baths or heating pads increases blood flow and soothes discomfort. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, stress reduction, and regular exercise, often provide significant improvement.

Advanced Treatments for Severe Cases 

When pain persists despite conservative treatment, your specialist may recommend more intensive interventions. Nerve blocks involve injecting medication around specific nerves to interrupt pain signals. 

Radiofrequency treatment uses controlled heat to reduce nerve pain transmission. Minimally invasive procedures like laparoscopy can address underlying conditions while minimizing recovery time. 

For severe cases, patients may undergo a hysterectomy. According to the UNC School of Medicine, pelvic pain patients account for 15% of hysterectomy operations. 

Metro Healthcare Partners Is Here To Address Women’s Health and Pelvic Pain

Treating chronic pelvic pain requires expert care and a comprehensive approach. Our team specializes in innovative pain relief solutions, combining traditional and advanced therapies to address your needs. Whether you’re looking for joint pain treatment options or chronic pelvic pain treatments, we can help.

Call us at (718) 568-5239 for chronic pelvic pain treatment in Brooklyn at Metro Healthcare Partners. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? We have answers. 

How Long Does Chronic Pelvic Pain Typically Last?

Chronic pelvic pain persists for six months or longer and requires professional medical attention for proper management.

Can Stress Make Pelvic Pain Worse?

Yes, stress can significantly increase pelvic pain symptoms and may trigger flare-ups.

What Is the Most Common Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain?

The most common treatment for chronic pelvic pain is a combination of pain management techniques, including medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications based on the underlying cause.