Putting an End to Chronic Pelvic Pain

Dr. Conrad Duncan and Dr. E. Cristian Campian, MD, urogynecologists with the Incontinence and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Franklin Square Hospital Center, talk about chronic pelvic pain and invite readers to a free seminar to learn more.

If you suffer from chronic pelvic pain, you are not alone. More than 20 percent of women in the United States experience prolonged bouts of pain in the pelvic region – below the belly button and between the hips. It’s considered chronic if it lasts six months or longer. And because of it can be a sensitive issue, many women choose to suffer in silence. But they don’t need to.

Chronic pelvic pain is not a disease, but rather a symptom that has many causes. Some of the most common types of chronic pelvic pain in women include:

• Endometriosis, which occurs when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus and the tissue may attach itself to the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Unlike the lining of the uterus, endometrial tissue does not shed during the menstrual cycle and this can cause pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding and even infertility.
• Uterine Fibroids, a type of non-cancerous growth that occurs inside the walls of the uterus and can vary in size. Uterine fibroids can cause sharp pain or cramps and can often worsen during the menstrual periods.
• Vulvadynia, which causes pain in the vulva – the external part of the female genitals. It’s often described as a type of burning or a stinging pain that occurs around the vulva.
• Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, an infection that can result from various causes including sexually transmitted disease to previous pelvic surgery. Symptoms can include fever, pain and chills.

Depending upon the cause of the pelvic pain, the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain can vary. Most common symptoms include pain or cramps in the pelvic area that come and go, pain in the lower back, abnormal bleeding and pain that worsens during menstrual period or sexual intercourse.

The good news is that chronic pelvic pain is fairly common and can be treated effectively by the right care and provider. Treatment for women’s pelvic pain depends on the exact cause and severity, but it can include hormone and physical therapy as well as complementary treatments such as relaxation, biofeedback and relaxation. Surgery is usually the last resort, but with advances in minimally invasive procedures including the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, recovery is much quicker than traditional surgery.

Chronic pelvic pain is just one of the topics we’ll be talking about at our upcoming seminar, “Below the Belt: Caring for Your Pelvic Health.” Additional topics we’ll be covering include pelvic organ prolapse, female sexual dysfunctions, urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence. If you are embarrassed by your personal condition or symptoms, I urge you to join us with the promise that you are not alone in your suffering!

The seminar is free and will be held at Franklin Square Hospital Center on November 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. To sign up, go to www.franklinsquare.org/gettingitright or call 443-777-7900.