Should I Get a Hysterectomy for Chronic Pelvic Pain?

If you have pelvic pain that occurs for more than two weeks a month and has been there for more than six months, you might be suffering from Chronic Pelvic Pain, or CPP.

Due to lack of knowledge on the condition that affects 15 percent of the population, CPP treatments can be ineffective in pain management. If the pain is deep enough, some physicians might suggest a hysterectomy. But is that the right option? Sometimes hysterectomies aren’t effective in minimizing pain, so it’s important to get screened for all possible medical conditions and see the proper physicians in order to ensure that a hysterectomy is the right option for you.

Get screened for bladder pain syndrome

Bladder pain symptom includes uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, bladder spasms, pain in the bladder and pelvis, and pain during urination or intercourse. While this is a common cause for CPP, removing the uterus will not cure the pain.

Get a biopsy for endometriosis

Women with endometriosis do benefit from having a hysterectomy to help with CPP, especially if they are in stage 3 or 4.

Check for uterine fibroids

If you have uterine fibroids and your pain is worse during your menstrual cycle, a hysterectomy might help your CPP. But if you don’t suffer from pain because of your uterine fibroids, there might be better options for you.

Get screened for irritable bowel syndrome

Women with IBS have double the hysterectomy rate. If IBS is causing a majority of the pain, it’s best to consult a physician and try different diets to find your triggers and alleviate the pain.

See a pelvic floor therapist

A pelvic floor physical therapist can clear the abdominal wall, psoas muscles, and pelvic floor muscles, which are all major causes of pelvic pain. A therapist will also be able to tell you if the pain you’re experiencing is muscle pain. If that’s the case, a hysterectomy won’t help alleviate the pain.

Treat Chronic Pelvic Pain in San Francisco, CA 

Our specialists will help you diagnose and treat your Chronic Pelvic Pain. Call (415) 923-3123 to schedule an appointment.