Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Pain

Michael Balat, MD

You are not alone. Suffering from pelvic pain is more common than most believe, or want to admit. Nearly 25% of reproductive-aged women are affected by chronic pelvic pain. A woman's pelvic pain can come in short attacks, which may or may not be related to their menstrual cycles. However, for a percentage of women, the pain can affect daily function and activity— even debilitate life.

Chronic pelvic pain can be diagnosed when the condition persists for more than 6 months, and is associated with harmful mental, behavioral, sexual and emotional consequences. The symptoms a woman can experience may be related to bladder, bowel, pelvic muscles, and/or gynecological dysfunction. But what could be the root cause of their pelvic pain?

A patient evaluation would establish the history of the woman's pain. During this evaluation, listening to the patient and understanding their pain is the utmost importance. This will guide the physician to the patient’s diagnosis, and the best solution for treatment. The most common gynecological diagnosis is Endometriosis, which is linked to nearly 33% of chronic pelvic pain. Non-gynecological causes, include, but are not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome, musculoskeletal causes (tenderness will be reproduced on physical exam) and depression.

While the initial evaluation may start with seeing one specialist, a multi-team approach may be the best solution for treating pelvic pain in women. Medical and surgical options are available, depending on the cause, but treatment may also improve by seeing a therapist (physical or behavioral), as well a psychiatrist. If you or a loved one is suffering is suffering from pelvic pain and feel unheard, please reach out and seek help.

Dr. Michael Balat is a practicing OB/GYN at Plaza OB/GYN in Houston, Texas. You can learn more about Dr. Balat and Plaza OB/GYN at  https://plazaobg.com/.

You may also be interested in...

Infertility and Mental Health; 3 Common Challenges and How to Cope

Infertility and Mental Health; 3 Common Challenges and How to Cope

1 out of 8 couples will experience infertility on their family planning journey1. If you find yourself here, I’m sorry for the painful and probably unexpected turn life has taken. Whether you’re a weathered traveler or just getting started on this path, you’ve likely encountered feelings of grief, anxiety, or isolation. There’s no way around it, infertility is hard and can impact mental health in significant ways. As a reproductive therapist who works with individuals experiencing infertility, I hope to describe 3 particular challenges I hear repeated in my work as well as a few strategies that can be helpful in coping and caring for your mental wellness.

Read Blog Post
Grief and Loss

Grief and Loss

Melody, our Office Supervisor, shares her personal journey with grief after losing her brother and how grief therapy helped her begin healing. If you're struggling with loss, you don’t have to go through it alone. At RPC, our compassionate grief therapists in Austin are here to support you.

Read Blog Post