Symptoms
- Pelvic pain encompasses a wide range of sensations, from burning and itching to aching or sharp discomfort in the vaginal, vulvar, perineal, or anal areas.
- Pain with intercourse is common, and sensitivity to underwear or pants as well as pain when sitting is often reported.
- Physical exercise may intensify existing discomfort or trigger new symptoms.
- Urinary complications, including urgency, frequent urination, painful urination, and leakage, may accompany pelvic pain.
- Digestive concerns such as abdominal bloating, constipation, or general gastrointestinal discomfort are also seen.
- Triggers may include penetrative sex or tampon use, but symptoms can also occur without any identifiable cause.
- Episodes may be constant for some women or appear in an intermittent, unpredictable fashion for others.
Symptoms
- Pelvic pain encompasses a wide range of sensations, from burning and itching to aching or sharp discomfort in the vaginal, vulvar, perineal, or anal areas.
- Pain with intercourse is common, and sensitivity to underwear or pants as well as pain when sitting is often reported.
- Physical exercise may intensify existing discomfort or trigger new symptoms.
- Urinary complications, including urgency, frequent urination, painful urination, and leakage, may accompany pelvic pain.
- Digestive concerns such as abdominal bloating, constipation, or general gastrointestinal discomfort are also seen.
- Triggers may include penetrative sex or tampon use, but symptoms can also occur without any identifiable cause.
- Episodes may be constant for some women or appear in an intermittent, unpredictable fashion for others.
Associated Diagnoses
Diagnoses such as Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, Pudendal Neuralgia, Lichen Sclerosus, Lichen Planus, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome are associated with pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Causes of Pelvic Pain
- Repetitive vaginal and/or bladder infections and/or gynecologic, urologic, dermatologic or gastrointestinal conditions
- The majority of women with pelvic pain have pelvic floor dysfunction
- Prescription medications such as oral contraceptives, acne medications, and hormonal suppressive therapies for diseases such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Surgical trauma (childbirth, pelvic organ prolapse repair, hysterectomy)
- Orthopedic injuries or traumas
- Biomechanical or structural dysfunction (hip dysfunction, sacro-iliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, scoliosis, leg length discrepancy)
- Vaginal childbirth
- Menopause
- Genital cutting or genital mutilation
Causes of Pelvic Pain
- Repetitive vaginal and/or bladder infections and/or gynecologic, urologic, dermatologic or gastrointestinal conditions
- The majority of women with pelvic pain have pelvic floor dysfunction
- Prescription medications such as oral contraceptives, acne medications, and hormonal suppressive therapies for diseases such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Surgical trauma (childbirth, pelvic organ prolapse repair, hysterectomy)
- Orthopedic injuries or traumas
- Biomechanical or structural dysfunction (hip dysfunction, sacro-iliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, scoliosis, leg length discrepancy)
- Vaginal childbirth
- Menopause
- Genital cutting or genital mutilation
Diagnostic Challenges
Research has made it clear that diagnosing pelvic pain in women is often a prolonged and frustrating process, taking up to five years on average. For those suffering from Endometriosis, the delay is even greater, averaging up to 11 years. This happens largely because the symptoms of pelvic pain can appear almost identical to conditions such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, bladder disorders, and sexually transmitted infections. When pelvic floor dysfunction is the actual cause, diagnostic tests for these other conditions inevitably return negative results, which leads to uncertainty for both the physician and the patient. Many medical providers are not adequately trained to connect pelvic pain with pelvic floor dysfunction, and women themselves rarely consider physical and occupational therapy as an appropriate place to seek help. Time and again, patients share with us that they had never even heard of their pelvic floor until they began dealing with pain and dysfunction that disrupted their daily lives.
Diagnostic Challenges
Research has made it clear that diagnosing pelvic pain in women is often a prolonged and frustrating process, taking up to five years on average. For those suffering from Endometriosis, the delay is even greater, averaging up to 11 years. This happens largely because the symptoms of pelvic pain can appear almost identical to conditions such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, bladder disorders, and sexually transmitted infections. When pelvic floor dysfunction is the actual cause, diagnostic tests for these other conditions inevitably return negative results, which leads to uncertainty for both the physician and the patient. Many medical providers are not adequately trained to connect pelvic pain with pelvic floor dysfunction, and women themselves rarely consider physical and occupational therapy as an appropriate place to seek help. Time and again, patients share with us that they had never even heard of their pelvic floor until they began dealing with pain and dysfunction that disrupted their daily lives.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
For women in Redwood City who are struggling with pelvic pain, an evaluation with specialized pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists offers a path to better health. During this evaluation, your therapists will sit down with you to discuss your history, current symptoms, and any diagnoses you have received in the past. They will also review the treatments you have tried and whether those approaches were successful or not. We know how frustrating and draining it can be to search for solutions, and we want you to feel heard and supported throughout this process. The physical examination includes a careful look at your muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and overall movement to identify sources of pain.
After completing the examination, the therapists will provide you with a detailed explanation of their findings and how your pain may have developed over time. They will then establish both short-term and long-term goals as part of a structured treatment plan designed specifically for you. Therapy is typically scheduled one to two times each week for approximately twelve weeks. You will also be given a home exercise program to practice between visits. To ensure you receive the best possible care, the therapists will coordinate your treatment with other professionals on your healthcare team. Our clinic is committed to helping you regain comfort, improve function, and return to living your life more fully.
Treatment:
How We Can Help You
For women in Redwood City who are struggling with pelvic pain, an evaluation with specialized pelvic floor physical and occupational therapists offers a path to better health. During this evaluation, your therapists will sit down with you to discuss your history, current symptoms, and any diagnoses you have received in the past. They will also review the treatments you have tried and whether those approaches were successful or not. We know how frustrating and draining it can be to search for solutions, and we want you to feel heard and supported throughout this process. The physical examination includes a careful look at your muscles, tissues, joints, nerves, and overall movement to identify sources of pain.
After completing the examination, the therapists will provide you with a detailed explanation of their findings and how your pain may have developed over time. They will then establish both short-term and long-term goals as part of a structured treatment plan designed specifically for you. Therapy is typically scheduled one to two times each week for approximately twelve weeks. You will also be given a home exercise program to practice between visits. To ensure you receive the best possible care, the therapists will coordinate your treatment with other professionals on your healthcare team. Our clinic is committed to helping you regain comfort, improve function, and return to living your life more fully.
How Can We Help You?
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At its center, Pelvic Pain Explained tells the story of how pelvic pain develops in many patients, the struggles faced by both patients and providers during diagnosis and treatment, the difficulty of sorting through different treatment options, and the deep effect that an “invisible” condition has on health, relationships, and day-to-day life.