An Overview of Chronic Pelvic Pain - Shawanda Renee Obey, MD

Chronic pelvic pain is a broad category defined clinically as any pain that persists for three to six months and is centered in the area between the hips and below the belly button. It can be localized in a single spot, or felt across different regions of the pelvic area.

1. Cä¾µ•c Pp«ė•c Pa•µ
Understanding a common yet complex condition affecting one in seven
women across the US4and how to find relief.

2. Waø Iì Cä¾µ•c Pp«ė•c Pa•µ?
Dpˆ•µ•ø•¾µ
Pain persisting for three to six months, centered between the
hips and below the belly button. Can be localized or spread
across the pelvic region.
C¾³³¾µ Sгáø¾³ì
Dull aching, cramping, or sharp pains
Heaviness or deep pelvic pressure
Bloating and digestive issues
Pain during sex or urination

3. Aìì¾c•aøpj C¾µj•ø•¾µì & I³áacø
Iää•øab«p B¾Ęp« Sеjä¾³p
Digestive symptoms including
constipation, diarrhea, and frequent
urination often accompany chronic
pelvic pain.
Iµøpäìø•ø•a« CĞìø•ø•ì
Bladder pressure and pain contribute
to the complex symptom profile of
pelvic discomfort.
M¾¾j D•ì¾äjpäì
Linked with anxiety and major
depressive disorder, highlighting the
mind-body connection.
1/7
W¾³pµ Aˆˆpcøpj
Chronic pelvic pain impacts one in seven women across the US4
as common as migraines and asthma.
50%
Uµj•a‰µ¾ìpj Caìpì
Around half of all chronic pelvic pain remains undiagnosed
despite testing.

4. Understanding Central Sensitization
Like other chronic pain syndromes, chronic pelvic pain often involves central sensitization4the nervous system becomes overly
sensitive to stimuli over time.
HĞápäa«‰pì•a
The body's pain threshold lowers,
making mild sensations feel severe.
A««¾jе•a
Even normal touch becomes painful as
the nervous system misinterprets
signals.
Cä¾µ•c Pa•µ E³pä‰pì
Acute pain transitions to centralized
chronic pain over three to six months.

5. Täpaø³pµø Aááä¾acpì
Aø-H¾³p Rp«•pˆ
NSAIDs like ibuprofen
Moderate regular
exercise
Warm baths or
compresses
Meditation and yoga
Seek immediate
care if you
experience: Sharp
sudden pain,
blood in
urine/stool, fever,
or inability to
stand straight.
Mpj•ca« Iµøpäėpµø•¾µì
Effective treatment often requires coordinated care across multiple
specialties, including hormone replacement therapy, cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT), spinal cord stimulation, and surgical procedures.