Most women are no strangers to pelvic discomfort, particularly cramping during ovulation and menstruation. These types of pain typically resolve within a few days. But for about 15% of women in the United States and about a third of women worldwide, pelvic pain happens more frequently and lasts a lot longer — often six months or more.
While some causes of chronic pelvic pain are treatable with medication or other therapies, these techniques don’t always achieve long-term relief. In these instances, hysterectomy may be the best option for eliminating pain and restoring a better quality of life.
At his practice in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul Morrison, M.D., offers the most advanced, patient-centered therapies for chronic pelvic pain, including surgery when needed. In this post, learn why chronic pelvic pain happens and when hysterectomy is recommended.
Your pelvic region contains lots of organs and other structures, including your uterus, ovaries, bladder, and the ligaments that support them. That means there are lots of sources of pelvic pain, and finding the cause can take some time.
Some potential sources of chronic pelvic pain include:
Keeping a journal detailing your symptoms — including their severity, timing, and any potential triggers — can be helpful in determining the underlying problem.
Dr. Morrison uses a variety of techniques to pinpoint the source of chronic symptoms, including a pelvic exam, diagnostic imaging, urinalysis, and blood tests. He also reviews your symptoms and medical history.
If he determines your pain is related to an issue involving your bladder, digestive organs, or nerves, he can provide referrals to experts in those fields.
Hysterectomy is a surgery that removes all or most of the uterus. Sometimes, hysterectomy is performed alongside oophorectomy, a procedure that removes the ovaries. Dr. Morrison performs both traditional “open” hysterectomy surgery with one larger incision, along with minimally invasive surgeries that use two to three tiny incisions or an incision made in the vaginal canal.
While hysterectomy can be an appropriate option for some causes of chronic pelvic pain, Dr. Morrison usually only recommends surgery once other options — like medication and physical therapy — have failed to provide relief.
But there are some conditions associated with chronic pelvic pain that aren’t responsive to nonsurgical treatments, like recurrent uterine fibroids, pelvic prolapse, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
For conditions like these, Dr. Morrison typically recommends hysterectomy to eliminate the cause of pain and find much-needed relief. Hysterectomy may also be an appropriate therapy for issues that affect the structure or integrity of your reproductive system, like uterine prolapse.
Chronic pelvic pain causes uncomfortable physical symptoms, and it can take a toll on your emotional health as well. To find a solution that can help you feel better, call 812-490-5200 or book an appointment online with the practice of Paul W. Morrison, M.D., today.
