Nestled within your pelvis are important organs like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus (womb), bowel and bladder. Pelvic pain can affect any or a combination of these organs due to a number of common and not so common conditions. Pelvic pain symptoms can also vary greatly from one person to another but may include:
- Sudden sharp, stabbing pain
- Slow but steady pain
- Heavy ache or feeling of pressure
- Painful pelvic cramps
- Twisted or knotted feeling
- Pain felt during sex or exercise.
Getting the right diagnosis and comprehensive, evidence-based care can help to reduce pelvic pain and improve your quality of life.
Assessment of Pelvic Pain
The cause of your pelvic pain may relate to your bowel, bladder, reproductive organs or muscles, a comprehensive medical assessment is important to identify the underlying cause of your pelvic pain and the best approach to treatment.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common cause of pelvic pain and fertility difficulties, affecting about 1 in 7 females and those assigned female at birth. Each month, the endometrium (lining of the womb) thickens to prepare for a pregnancy. If you don’t get pregnant, this tissue is shed, forming your period. If you have endometriosis, tissue similar to that which lines your womb forms elsewhere in your pelvis. It thickens each month too but there is nowhere for the blood to go.
That causes pain.
Signs of Endometriosis
Severe period pain may be the first symptom of endometriosis. You may be experiencing a significant period paid if you need:
- Strong painkillers during your period
- Time off work or school each month.
Endometriosis pain varies from woman to woman but can include pain:
- During your period
- When peeing or pooing
- During sex
- Between periods
- Bloating
- Fatigue
Endometriosis is also linked to [increased rates of depression, anxiety and fatigue](https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-03-14-global-study-shows-experience-endometriosis-rooted-genetics#:~:text=Treatment is limited to repeated,women but not in others.).
Endometriosis diagnosis
Diagnosing endometriosis is a little like completing a jigsaw puzzle. Currently, the definitive diagnosis is looking at it under microscopy after being removed at surgery. But surgery is not always the best or most appropriate choice. Suspicion of the disease remains key and your story matters the most in establishing a diagnosis. Together with family history, clinical examination, and specialist gynaecological ultrasound {link to DIE page} a diagnosis may be made without surgery. Dr Budden will discuss whether diagnosis by laparoscopy is recommended in your case or not. It depends on factors like your clinical symptoms and whether you plan to become pregnant soon.
Endometriosis treatment
Dr Budden has spoken at countless events with a consistent message. There are many ways to approach management of endometriosis and it requires lots of different health professionals all working to find the best options for you. This may include some or all of:
- Medication
- Surgery
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Natural therapies
- Nutrition
Treatment Outcomes
Whichever treatment (or combination of treatments) you have, the goal is to reduce symptoms and improve your daily life. Most treatments can lessen pain but not get rid of it completely.
How can the team at Saige help?
Finding someone who understands endometriosis and pelvic pain is not always easy. Indeed, many women have lived with endometriosis symptoms for 6-8 years before it is finally diagnosed. From our GPs, specialists, sonographers, physiotherapist, to reception staff there is extensive personal and professional experience in assessing and managing pelvic pain.
