Women’s bodies are unique. Men don’t have to go through the process of shedding their uterine lining on a monthly basis, nor do they deal with any of the associated effects.
Because scientists have historically been men and women were routinely left out of clinical trials, we know a lot less about women’s bodies. Still, we’re not flying completely blind. We do know about many of the causes behind pelvic pain that extend well beyond periods.
As a result, you shouldn’t dismiss pelvic pain as normal. Sure, most women experience cramps. But if your pain is severe or persistent, Pekka Soini, MD, FACOG, may be able to do something to help. As an expert in pelvic pain, he works with you to determine what’s causing your pain. Then, he partners with you to find solutions that bring you relief.
In short, you’re not stuck with your pelvic pain. At Discovery Medical Center, Dr. Soini can help you figure out what it’s trying to tell you so you can resolve it.
Period cramps are the most common cause of pelvic pain in women, but they’re far from the only factor in play. You might also be experiencing pelvic pain because of:
Plus, it really could be period cramps (what doctors call dysmenorrhea), just a particularly bad variety – in fact, some of the conditions we outlined above can make cramps worse. In the medical field, this is called secondary dysmenorrhea.
Long story short, pelvic pain isn’t something to ignore. It’s likely your body trying to alert you to a condition. Come see Dr. Soini if your pain is so bad that it interferes with your daily life, you notice that it changes, or it happens outside of your menstrual cycle.
At our office, Dr. Soini has a variety of tools he can use to find out what’s causing your pelvic pain. He starts by talking with you about your symptoms. Tell him when you notice the pain tends to materialize, or become severe enough to distract you. Knowing that certain activities or that your period makes it worse can help him home in on what’s going on.
He also uses diagnostic tools to get a clearer idea of what’s happening in your pelvis, like a pelvic exam or ultrasound.
Once Dr. Soini determines what’s at the root of your pelvic pain, he develops a plan to address it. Your personalized plan might include:
If your pelvic pain doesn’t respond to conservative treatment, Dr. Soini also offers surgery. He can remove fibroids or adhesions from endometriosis, for example. Dr. Soini uses minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible.
Don’t assume pelvic pain is just your lot in life as a woman. To figure out what that pain is trying to tell you so you can address it, call our office or book your appointment online today.
