Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the abdomen or pelvis, from the belly button to the mid-thigh, and lasting more than 6-months. The degree of pain experienced, and symptoms, can vary from person to person, ranging in severity (mild or severe), type (dull or sharp), and longevity (constant or intermittent).
While chronic pelvic pain affects many people and is caused by different conditions, some people may have an increased risk of experiencing chronic pelvic pain due to lifestyle and other factors. If you suspect you have CPPS, and any of these risk factors apply to you, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about both.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Hypertonia
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Fibroids
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
Chronic Prostatitis
Hip Impingement
Hyper Mobility
STD/UTI/Yeast Infection History
Hernia
Diagnosing chronic pelvic pain syndrome and the issues that are causing it requires an in-depth examination of both the nerves and muscles within the pelvis, learning of your medical history, and getting a full picture of your symptoms and lifestyle.
Here’s what you can expect when you are a patient at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine:
Step One – First, our providers will ask questions about your medical history and listen to your symptoms to get a full picture of what is going on with you.
Step Two – Next, an external exam of your hips, abdomen, and posterior sacrum.
Step Three – Next, your pelvic nerves are evaluated externally with a soft cotton tip.
Step Four – Next, with your consent, gel is placed on a gloved finger and an internal exam is performed to allow us to evaluate the nerves and muscles within the pelvis. There is no speculum required as we are evaluating the pelvic floor muscles and nerves not the organs.
Step Five – Sometimes patients will need Imaging to help us understand if there is an associated cause of the pelvic nerve and muscle pain and dysfunction found on exam.
Step Six – Oftentimes, treatment can be started the same day as there is no down time. Our patients have been suffering with pelvic pain symptoms for 6+ months. We like to get them on the road to feeling better as soon as we can as the longer the symptoms are present the harder it is for us to resolve them.
Take the first step towards your healing journey by booking a free15-minute consultation or new patient visit with a pelvic pain specialist today.
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