Pelvic Pain Specialist Los Angeles for Specialized Care
Persistent Pelvic Pain Explained
Persistent pelvic pain can affect work, sleep, relationships, exercise, and everyday activities. Finding the underlying cause is important because pelvic discomfort may be related to endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic floor dysfunction, ovarian conditions, or other gynecologic concerns.
At the Center for Endometriosis and Fertility, pelvic pain can be evaluated alongside reproductive health and fertility considerations. Understanding your symptoms and their possible causes can help determine the most appropriate next steps.
Pelvic Pain Doctor in Los Angeles Helps Get Relief
A specialist evaluation focuses on understanding why pelvic pain occurs rather than simply managing discomfort. Your symptoms, menstrual patterns, medical history, previous treatments, and reproductive goals can help guide the evaluation.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain: Ongoing or recurring discomfort may require evaluation to identify an underlying gynecologic condition.
- Painful Periods: Severe menstrual cramps can sometimes be associated with endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or other conditions.
- Pain During Intercourse: Discomfort during or after intercourse may occur with endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, or inflammation.
- Bowel or Bladder Pain: Pain during bowel movements or urination can provide useful clues about the source of pelvic symptoms.
- Fertility Concerns: Pelvic pain with difficulty conceiving may warrant evaluation for endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic adhesions.
- Recurring Symptoms: Pain that continues despite previous treatment may require a closer assessment of the underlying cause.
Common Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can have several possible causes, and different conditions may produce similar symptoms. Identifying the source helps determine which treatment options may be appropriate.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It may cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pelvic pain that becomes more noticeable around menstruation.
Symptoms can include painful periods, pain during intercourse, and discomfort with bowel movements or urination. Some patients may also experience fertility difficulties.
Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. Depending on their size and location, they may cause pelvic pressure, cramping, heavy bleeding, or discomfort.
Treatment depends on symptoms, fibroid characteristics, and reproductive plans. A specialist can determine whether fibroids may be contributing to pelvic symptoms.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The pelvic floor contains muscles supporting several pelvic organs. When these muscles become overly tight or do not function properly, they may contribute to ongoing discomfort.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause pain during intercourse, bowel movements, or physical activity. Physical therapy may be considered when muscle tension contributes to symptoms.
Symptoms We Evaluate
Pelvic pain can appear differently depending on its underlying cause. Some patients experience occasional symptoms, while others have discomfort that affects daily activities.
- Pelvic Pressure: A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the lower abdomen may accompany several gynecologic conditions.
- Severe Cramping: Menstrual cramps that interfere with normal activities may require further evaluation.
- Lower Back Pain: Some pelvic conditions can cause discomfort that extends toward the lower back.
- Abnormal Bleeding: Heavy, prolonged, or irregular bleeding may occur alongside conditions that contribute to pelvic discomfort.
- Pain With Movement: Certain conditions may cause discomfort during exercise, prolonged sitting, or other physical activities.
Pelvic Pain Treatment in Los Angeles
Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis, symptom severity, medical history, and reproductive goals. Options may include medication, hormonal treatment, physical therapy, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery.
Medication
Medication may help manage pain associated with certain underlying conditions. The appropriate option depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and overall health.
Symptom management may sometimes be combined with treatment directed at the underlying cause. Your physician can discuss suitable options based on your circumstances.
Hormonal Treatment
Hormonal treatment may be considered for conditions influenced by hormonal changes, including some cases of endometriosis.
Treatment choices vary depending on symptoms and reproductive goals. Patients trying to conceive may require a different approach from those focused primarily on symptom control.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
When pelvic floor muscle tension contributes to pain, physical therapy may be incorporated into care.
Treatment can focus on improving muscle function, reducing tension, and supporting pelvic movement. Techniques and exercises can be selected according to individual needs.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Some gynecologic conditions may require surgery when symptoms are significant or other approaches have not provided sufficient relief.
Minimally invasive techniques may be appropriate for selected patients. The procedure depends on the diagnosis, affected structures, previous treatment, and reproductive plans.
Your Reliable Pelvic Pain Clinic in Los Angeles
A specialized pelvic pain clinic in Los Angeles can evaluate patients experiencing persistent or recurring pelvic symptoms. Specialist care may be particularly useful when previous treatments have not identified or addressed the underlying cause.
The Center for Endometriosis and Fertility provides care focused on endometriosis, pelvic pain, fertility, and minimally invasive gynecologic conditions. Services include endometriosis treatment, pelvic floor physical therapy, fertility services, and minimally invasive surgery.
Specialist evaluation may be helpful when pelvic pain occurs alongside:
- Endometriosis Symptoms: Painful periods, intercourse, or recurring pelvic discomfort may warrant assessment.
- Fertility Concerns: Difficulty conceiving alongside pelvic symptoms may require reproductive evaluation.
- Bowel Symptoms: Pain during bowel movements may occur with certain pelvic conditions.
- Bladder Symptoms: Urinary discomfort may provide useful information during evaluation.
- Previous Surgery: Past pelvic surgery may be relevant when assessing scar tissue or adhesions.
How Is Pelvic Pain and Fertility Related?
Pelvic pain and fertility concerns can sometimes occur together. Conditions affecting reproductive organs or surrounding tissues may influence conception in different ways.
Endometriosis and Fertility
Endometriosis may cause pelvic pain while also affecting fertility. Its effects can vary according to disease location, severity, inflammation, and other reproductive factors.
A fertility-focused evaluation can help determine whether additional testing or treatment may be appropriate for someone experiencing pelvic symptoms and difficulty conceiving.
Fibroids and Fertility
Certain fibroids can affect the uterus in ways that may influence fertility or pregnancy. Their impact depends largely on their size and location.
Treatment decisions should consider symptoms and reproductive plans. Not every fibroid requires treatment, so management should be based on individual circumstances.
Fertility Planning
Patients considering pregnancy may have different treatment priorities than those seeking symptom relief alone. Reproductive goals can therefore be an important part of pelvic pain care.
At the Center for Endometriosis and Fertility, fertility considerations can be incorporated when evaluating patients whose pelvic symptoms may be connected to reproductive health concerns.
How Is Pelvic Pain Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a review of symptoms, medical history, menstrual patterns, previous procedures, treatments, and fertility concerns. Understanding when pain occurs can provide useful diagnostic information.
Depending on symptoms, an examination, ultrasound, MRI, or other testing may be recommended. These assessments can help distinguish between endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian conditions, pelvic floor dysfunction, and other causes.
Why Choose Specialist Pelvic Pain Care?
Persistent pelvic pain can involve more than one condition, particularly when symptoms continue for a long time. Specialist evaluation can bring together gynecologic, surgical, and fertility considerations.
Dr. Sadikah Behbehani has training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility as well as minimally invasive gynecologic and robotic surgery. The Center for Endometriosis and Fertility also focuses on endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Patients seeking a pelvic pain specialist in Newport Beach can receive care through the practice’s Newport Beach location while addressing pelvic health and reproductive concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
A specialist can evaluate conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic floor dysfunction, ovarian conditions, adenomyosis, and pelvic adhesions that may contribute to pelvic discomfort.
Yes. Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain during menstruation or at other times. Some patients also experience painful intercourse, bowel movements, or urination.
No. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Medication, hormonal treatment, physical therapy, and other approaches may be appropriate before surgery is considered.
Certain causes of pelvic pain, including endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic adhesions, may also affect fertility. Treatment can consider future pregnancy plans.
Persistent, severe, recurrent, or unexplained pelvic pain should be discussed with a physician, especially when it interferes with daily activities or occurs alongside fertility concerns.
Dr. Sadikah Behbehani is in an OBGYN who specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. She completed her 5 year OBGYN Residency at the well renowned McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She then completed a 2 year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at McGill University which makes her double board certified by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada in both OBGYN and REI. In addition, Dr. Behbehani completed a second fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at the prestigious Mayo Clinic and can perform complex pelvic surgeries with both laparoscopy and robotics.
There are only a handful of physicians in the country with such training and being double fellowship trained in surgery and infertility allows Dr. Behbehani to treat complex gynecologic conditions affecting fertility such as endometriosis and fibroids.
Dr. Behbehani is very passionate about providing the best care to her patients, and she’s able to use her robotic skills and her fertility expertise to remove advanced endometriosis from the pelvis while still maintaining the integrity of the reproductive organs allowing them the best chances of pregnancy. With fibroid removal, Dr. Behbehani is able to skillfully remove large fibroids robotically, and expertly restore the anatomy of the uterus to reduce the chance of scar formation and improve pregnancy chances. Dr. Behbehani is also a mother herself, and feels passionate about helping patients start or grow their families. She is skilled in IVF and fertility treatment and has helped many patients become parents over the years.
As an Associate Professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Dr. Behbehani is also heavily involved in medical research and publications. She’s presented at numerous national and international conferences, and her research is consistently quoted in women’s health. She’s a member of many international and national gynecologic societies including American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists (AAGL), and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS). Click here for an overview of publications involving Dr. Sadikah Behbehani.
(949) 200-9038
1901 Newport Blvd, Suite 278 Costa Mesa, CA 92627