Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is short lasting pain with a history of less than 3 months. Chronic pain means that pain has been a problem for a long time - more than 3 months.

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Causes of Pain in Women

There are many and varied causes of pelvic pain. Below are some of the causes of pelvic pain

  • Endometriosis
  • Ovulation
  • Period pain
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Ovarian cyst rupture or torsion
  • Degeneration of fibroid
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Appendicitis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Urinary bladder infection
  • Cystitis
  • Adhesions
  • Hernia
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Miscarriage
  • Muscle and bone problems
  • Pain with cancer
  • Nerve problems
  • Pudendal neuralgia
  • Genital Pain
  • Vulvodynia
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Understanding Pain

Most of the time, pain serves us well in that it signals to us that damage has happened or is about to happen. It helps us to protect ourselves from further injury and take care of our bodies. But this system can set off alarms when there is no actual disease or injury.

It’s understandably frustrating when pain is real yet tests and investigations to identify damage come back negative or don’t give a clear explanation about the pain. People may feel that they are not being believed, that better tests and treatments have not been carried out, or that their pain is not being taken seriously. Neuroscience research can explain what has happened to the nervous system. The nervous system is oversensitive and continues to behave as though there is ongoing disease or injury, so the person still experiences pain.

Pain is a body-mind phenomenon, and thoughts and feelings can modify pain experiences in profound ways. Thoughts and feelings can also influence the choices that you make, e.g. how you approach daily activities, or what you do during a flare-up. These choices will in turn influence your pain experiences.

Effect on your life

Women who have experienced pain for a long time may find their lives affected in many ways. Some common difficulties are:

  • Not being able to continue with hobbies and sport
  • Feeling stiffer and weaker
  • Finding it difficult to remain at work
  • Not being able to make plans, for example, meetings at work or meeting friends and family
  • Not being able to take part in social activities
  • Finding it difficult to deal with increases in pain
  • Finding it difficult to deal with relationships
  • Worrying about the future
  • Loss of self confidence and feeling low

The treatment plan for this disturbing and distressing problem given by Dr Salma Kayani aims to improve your quality of life and help you do more of the things you want to do.

Training Skills and Experience

Dr Salma Kayani has been specially and formally trained by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK) in the management of Acute and Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women from the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), Queen Square, is the UK's largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital. Established since 150 years, it provides comprehensive services for the diagnosis, treatment and care of all conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and muscles. It is a major international center for research and training.

Dr Salma Kayani has special interest in this medical condition and has successfully treated many patients with this upsetting and distressing condition