Chronic Pelvic Pain Program

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Loyola Medicine’s chronic pelvic pain program takes an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain. Because no two patients are exactly alike, our team of highly experienced specialists evaluates each patient's symptoms, medical history and individual needs to develop a personalized treatment plan. While this page provides general educational information about chronic pelvic pain and available treatment approaches, it should not be considered a diagnosis or personalized medical advice. Determining the most appropriate care requires a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Far too many women needlessly suffer in silence with chronic pelvic pain and go years without receiving the correct diagnosis for this common medical problem.

Loyola Medicine was one of the first medical centers in the nation to create a chronic pelvic pain program. Founded by an all-female group of doctors, surgeons and advanced practice nurses, some of whom have been providing women’s healthcare for more than 30 years, our program provides truly integrated clinical care for chronic pelvic pain.

What specialists are involved in a chronic pelvic pain program?

As part of an academic medical center, Loyola brings together specialists in:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)
• Urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery
• Gynecology
• Urology
• Obstetrics
• Psychology
• Physical therapy

Our doctors and advanced practice nurses provide preventive care for women of all ages, from young girls to menopausal women. In addition, our nurses have earned Magnet status, which means they have been recognized for delivering the highest level of care.

Who is eligible for a chronic pelvic pain program?

Women experiencing persistent pelvic pain that lasts six months or longer may be candidates for chronic pelvic pain treatment.

This condition can affect women of all ages and may be linked to issues involving multiple organ systems so treatment may be appropriate for women whose symptoms interfere with daily activities, work, exercise, sleep or intimate relationships. Due to chronic pelvic pain also having multiple causes, a comprehensive evaluation is often recommended to determine the underlying factors contributing to the pain and develop a personalized treatment plan.

How long does chronic pelvic pain treatment last?

The length of chronic pelvic pain treatment varies depending on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms and the type of treatment recommended. Some women experience symptom relief within a few weeks of starting treatment, while others may require several months of ongoing care to achieve lasting results.

Treatment plans often combine multiple approaches, such as medication management, pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle modifications and minimally-invasive procedures when appropriate. Because chronic pelvic pain is often a complex condition, regular follow-up appointments will also be needed to allow providers to monitor progress, adjust treatment strategies and help patients achieve the best possible long-term outcomes.

How is chronic pelvic pain diagnosed?

Loyola offers a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis of pelvic pain. Because chronic pelvic pain can be caused by many different conditions, our specialists consider all possible options and provide you with a holistic treatment plan.

In addition to taking your medical and family history and providing a pelvic exam, your healthcare team may request testing to make an informed diagnosis. These may include:

As a patient in our chronic pelvic pain program, you will receive care from urogynecologists and female pelvic medicine/reconstructive surgeons who will collaborate on the evaluation, diagnosis and plan of care for your pelvic pain over the course of several visits.

What conditions are treated in a chronic pelvic pain program?

Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by physical and/or psychological conditions. Some of the most common conditions treated by a chronic pelvic pain program are:

Generalized treatments for chronic pelvic pain

The goal of Loyola’s chronic pelvic pain program is to provide an accurate diagnosis for your condition and develop a plan of treatment that will improve your quality of life. The level of improvement depends on a patient's commitment to the time and effort required to follow through with treatment. You are the most important member of your health care team.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, nerve pain medications, antidepressants, hormone treatments or antibiotics to relieve pelvic pain of various causes, including those caused by infection and those associated with your menstrual cycle.

Pelvic floor physical therapy

Loyola's all-female team may use hands-on techniques to release trigger points and re-educate muscles affected by pelvic and nerve pain. Our physical therapists are skilled in evaluating and treating dysfunction in the joints, muscles, nerves and scar tissue. These treatments can help muscle control/coordination, relaxation and also strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which may reduce pelvic and bladder pain, bladder spasms, leakage and the sudden urge to urinate. Patients also learn an individualized home exercise program.

Pelvic trigger point injections

If your doctor finds a specific point where you feel pain, you may benefit from direct injection of a numbing medicine into a painful spot (trigger point). The medicine, usually a long-acting local anesthetic, or botulinum toxin can block pain and ease discomfort.

Psychological support

For some women, pain is intertwined with depression, anxiety, history of sexual abuse, or other stressors. Your Loyola health care team provides help for psychological, social, spiritual and emotional challenges, as well as physical pain.

Surgery

Loyola’s chronic pelvic pain program includes skilled surgeons. The adhesions associated with endometriosis can be removed with laparoscopic surgery. In severe cases in women past childbearing age, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy and oophorectomy to remove the uterus and both ovaries.

Specialized services for chronic pelvic pain

Alongside general treatment options, our chronic pelvic pain program offers the following specialized service lines:

• Acupuncture — Modern medical acupuncture combines western biomedical knowledge with eastern approaches to advance healing. This clinic offers patients another tool to help alleviate symptoms without the side effects of medication.
• Gastroenterology — Loyola’s GI team is highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal issues that cause chronic pelvic pain.
• Internal medicine or pediatrics (for patients under age 21) — Our chronic pelvic pain program works closely with primary care physicians, including internal medicine doctors or pediatricians, to eliminate systemic conditions that may be causing your pain.
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery — Our team of experts uses innovative surgical tools to perform precise surgical treatment through small incisions, in order to treat conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts.
• Obstetrics/gynecology — Our OB/GYN doctors specialize in a wide range of conditions and diseases including the many causes of pelvic pain.
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation — Our physiatrists have special training in non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions that are often seen with chronic pelvic pain.
• Psychology – Loyola’s psychology team is experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy to address psychological aspects of chronic pelvic pain.  
• Urogynecology – Our team is expert in the management of urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, bowel incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
• Urology — Our team is acclaimed for its treatment of numerous conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones and urinary incontinence.