Pelvic Pain Management Chicago IL

Myth: The pain is all in my head.
Fact: There are many different physical causes of pelvic pain, including nerve disturbances, pelvic neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, hernia, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, fibroids, and more. Pelvic pain becomes chronic often because of changes in the nervous system, tissues, or muscles. Chronic pain of any type is complicated by psychological factors such as depression or anxiety.

Myth: Only women suffer from pelvic pain.
Fact: Chronic pelvic pain is most common in women, but men may suffer from pelvic pain related to chronic prostatitis, chronic orchalgia, or prostatodynia.

Myth: Only women who have been sexually abused suffer from pelvic pain.
Fact: 10% of all visits to a gynecologist are because of pelvic pain. Women who have never been sexually abused may develop chronic pelvic pain; however sexual abuse before age 15 is associated with later development of chronic pelvic pain.

Myth: There’s usually only one cause of pelvic pain or one simple test to diagnose it.
Fact: Unfortunately, there are many causes of pelvic pain, and diagnosing it often is a process of elimination. Pelvic pain can result from diseases or disorders of the reproductive organs, urologic disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal diseases or disorders, and neuropathy.

Myth: There is no effective treatment; just live with it.
Fact: There are many ways to treat chronic pain and improve functioning and quality of life. People with chronic pelvic pain often find that their pain is best managed by a variety of treatments, including medications, surgery, injections, cognitive behavioral therapies, and more.

Treatment Options

Medications

Anti-Inflammatory
For mild pain, the recommendation includes the use of acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium).