Up to 32% of women worldwide have chronic pelvic pain that’s severe enough to disrupt their daily lives. Here at Virtuosa GYN, our world-class OB/GYN, Dr. Susan Crockett, brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as a compassionate patient-centered physician.
Dr. Crockett and our knowledgeable team in San Antonio, Texas, often see patients who struggle with chronic pelvic pain. While it’s a common problem, it’s not normal, and it does require medical attention. This month’s blog explains why.
Pelvic pain: What’s normal, and what’s not
As you might imagine, pelvic pain refers to pain in the pelvis, which covers the area between your hips and legs. Many women who struggle with pelvic pain also have low back pain.
It’s not unusual to have cramps during your period. In fact, more than 50% of women have mild to moderate pain for a day or two per month. That type of pain is common, and we usually can treat it easily with simple measures, like over-the-counter medication and warm baths.
But severe period pain is another matter entirely.
Severe period pain isn’t normal, and it requires attention. The same is true of pelvic pain that occurs outside of periods. Severe pelvic pain, whether during your period or not, may be a sign of a serious condition such as:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Cystitis
- Vulvodynia
- Sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Cervical or ovarian cancer
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome
When you have severe pelvic pain on a regular basis, it’s not normal. It’s particularly vital that you reach out to us if you’re having pain so severe that it causes you to miss work, social activities, or other obligations.
While it’s discouraging to learn that your pelvic pain isn’t normal, there’s also hope: All of these causes of pelvic pain are highly treatable.
Pelvic pain treatment options
At Virtuosa GYN, we take individualized approaches to pelvic pain treatment based on your specific condition, how the pelvic pain affects your life, and your personal wishes.
Treatment approaches often include lifestyle changes, like pelvic floor exercises, as well as medications to correct the root cause of your pelvic pain. Many treatments are only short term, but others are on an as-needed basis or as part of long-term therapy.
Minimally invasive office-based procedures are also available for women who need them. Dr. Crockett is a renowned master-level robotic surgeon who regularly performs procedures such as fibroid removal and hysterectomy, when needed.
We have a wide range of personalized solutions that can get you back to enjoying your life to the fullest again. We’re here to help you discover solutions, so call our Virtuosa GYN office in San Antonio, Texas, at (210) 878-0090 or connect with us online.
