SERVICES:
PELVIC PAIN

Dr. Sassone has done research on pelvic pain and has considerable experience in the treatment of this condition.

Pelvic pain includes painful menstruations, pain during sexual intercourse, pain related to the bladder or to the rectum, pain related to the ovaries or to the uterus.
Pelvic pain can be felt as low back pain.
Pain can recur periodically or persist.
Pain that persists for six or more months is defined as "chronic".

Chronic pelvic pain can disrupt our ability to live a normal life and may contribute to depression.
Nerve blocks can be effective, but must be repeated periodically.
The use of certain pain medication can alter reflexes, make us lethargic and constipated. Other pain medications might irritate the stomach, and carry long term liver and/or kidney toxicity.
One of the goals, in long term pain treatment, is to minimize the use of pain killers.

The most important thing is to understand what causes the pain. In the office we follow a thorough diagnostic process. If diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated it is performed in the operating room as ambulatory procedure.

Very often, surgery is not the answer or it is not the only answer. There are many non-invasive ways to address chronic pelvic pain: physical therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, meditation, herbal medicine, behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are among the options used individually or in combination. For more information, visit our page regarding alternatives to surgery.

If you are unfamiliar with some of the terminology used in this page, please visit our glossary.