CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN

Chronic pelvic pain can be a debilitating condition. It can affect a woman’s daily activities, work performance and even sex life.

There are many structures inside the pelvis. Apart from the reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries), the pelvic cavity also contains bowel, bladder, urinary tract and nerves. Pain can arise from any of these structures.

If you have chronic pelvic pain, it is important to discuss it with empathetic health professionals who can understand your problems and their disturbances to your life. Apart from your GP, the treatment course may involve input from specialists in digestive system (gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons), urologists and pain management experts.

Our Gynaecologist takes the role in finding out if the pain is related to problems arising from the female reproductive system. Some of the common gynaecological causes of chronic pain include endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. Sometimes, cysts in the ovaries may cause deep pelvic pain. Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery plays a key role in diagnosing and treating these gynaecological conditions.

Endometriosis is present in 1 out of 10 women and can cause chronic pain or painful periods. It comes in different forms and severities. Laparoscopy (keyhole) is the gold standard test to diagnose endometriosis. The high-definition, magnifying camera allows surgeon to have an accurate view of pelvic structures.

Experienced endometriosis surgeons can identify the subtlest form of endometriosis, and on the other hand, remove the disease in severe stage. A good surgeon also formulates a tailored treatment plan that targets at removing all disease responsible for the symptoms in a safe way, while preserving fertility (if desired) and normal functions of pelvic organs.

Endometriosis is one of our specialized areas of interest.

Know more about endometriosis

Adhesions are abnormally formed bands of tissues occurring between organs inside the abdomen. They can be caused by previous surgery, Caesarean sections, or some infection inside the pelvis. Adhesions can cause pain when they interrupt bodily functions. Laparoscopic surgery can remove the adhesions, allowing structures to move freely again.

Know more about adhesions

Occasionally, a cyst on the ovary can cause pain. For example, pressure exerted on the cyst can trigger a deep pain during sexual intercourse. With laparoscopic surgery, cysts can be removed in a minimally invasive way through small incisions.

Know more about laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst

It is our passion to help women with chronic pain. Our experienced team conduct thorough tests and investigations to look for any possible causes of pain originated from female reproductive organs. In cases where no abnormalities can be identified from the gynaecological structures, we ensure that an expert team (e.g. bowel surgeons, urologists and pain specialists) will continue to provide the best care in a holistic manner.