Chronic Pelvic Pain Specialist
Healthcare for Women, LLC
OB-GYN located in Oak Park, IL
At his Oak Park based practice, Dr. Lyndon Taylor has helped many women suffering from chronic pelvic pain. Highly regarded by many of his patients as one of the leading specialists for women’s health, Dr. Taylor welcomes patients in Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding areas.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Q & A
What is pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is pain experienced in the lowest part of the abdomen below your bellybutton and between your hips that lasts six months or longer. Endometriosis and interstitial cystitis (IC) are some of the most common conditions placing women at risk for developing chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is considered chronic when:
- The pain has been present for at least six months
- Conventional treatments have brought little or no relief
- The degree of pain is higher than the degree of tissue damage detected by conventional means
- Problems such as sleep disorders, poor appetite, constipation, and slowed body movements are present
- Physical activity is limited
What causes pelvic pain?
Chronic pelvic pain can have multiple causes. It could be a symptom of another disease, or a condition in its own right. A variety of conditions can cause pelvic pain including:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Noncancerous tumors of the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps
- Scar tissue inside the pelvis and belly
- Bowel problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome
- Urinary tract problems, such as bladder inflammation
- Various cancers that occur in the pelvic area
- Muscle spasm or pain in the lower abdomen
- Pelvic congestion syndrome
- Miscarriage
- Rupture of Cysts
- Premature Labor
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Placental Abruption
- Period Pains
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Ovulation
- Fibroids
- Adhesions
- Cystitis
- Appendicitis
What treatments are used?
In order to determine the nature of the pelvic pain, an examination and a frank discussion with your doctor about your symptoms will be done first. Based on the findings of the examination your doctor will be able to recommend a variety of treatments that are best for you.
If further testing is needed one or more of the following may be recommended:
- CT scan
- MRI
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Laparoscopy
- Cystoscopy
If you are concerned about any type of pelvic pain, it is best to consult a physician before the condition worsens.