Pelvic pain could be musculoskeletal or related to your digestive or urinary system, but gynecological conditions are among the most common causes. If you have pelvic pain, talk to the experienced team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California. They offer prompt diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Call the office to discover what’s causing your pelvic pain or schedule an appointment online today.

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What is pelvic pain?

You feel pelvic pain in your lower abdomen, from your belly button to your groin. The pain may spread from your pelvis (the bone connecting your lower spine and hips) into your back, hips, buttocks, and legs.

In women, pelvic pain is often caused by conditions affecting the female reproductive system, which consists of the following:

  • Uterus
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Ovaries
  • Cervix
  • Vagina

Pelvic pain could also stem from your musculoskeletal system — the bones, joints, and connective tissues in your pelvic region. Or, it may be due to problems with your urinary or lower gastrointestinal systems.

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team specializes in treating pelvic pain caused by reproductive system problems.

What gynecological conditions cause pelvic pain?

Conditions that may cause gynecological pelvic pain include:

  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Cancer

Menstrual problems are among the most frequent causes of pelvic pain. Some women experience dysmenorrhea — disabling pain every month during their period.

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

To diagnose pelvic pain, your Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology OB/GYN looks at your medical history and discusses your symptoms. They also perform a physical, likely including an internal pelvic exam.

You might require blood or urine tests to identify infections that could be causing your pelvic pain. Other diagnostic procedures you may need include:

  • X-rays
  • An ultrasound scan
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • STD swab
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Diagnostic laparoscopy

Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are minimally invasive procedures that use endoscopic instruments to view your internal organs. A hysteroscope accesses your cervix and uterus through the vagina, while a laparoscope goes into a small abdominal incision.

What treatment might I need for pelvic pain?

The treatment your OB/GYN recommends for pelvic pain depends on its cause. You may need medication to ease pain or eliminate a bacterial infection. Birth control pills can address a hormonal problem causing dysmenorrhea or PCOS.

If your pain doesn’t improve or isn’t treatable with medication, you may need to undergo a minimally invasive procedure. For example, you might benefit from endometrial ablation to ease endometriosis pain.

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team also excels at performing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids and colpocleisis to repair pelvic organ prolapse.

If you suffer from pelvic pain, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.