Local Chronic Pelvic Pain Services at UPMC Magee-Womens

Pelvic pain is a blanket term for pain below your belly button and above your legs. It may happen during sex, a bowel movement, or your period.

Finding the cause of pelvic pain can be a challenge.

Chronic pelvic pain may stem from:

At UPMC Magee-Womens in Erie, we offer surgery, physical therapy, and other treatments for women who have chronic pelvic pain.

Call us at 814-877-8950 to learn more or make an appointment.

Types of Chronic Pelvic Pain We Treat

Pelvic pain can come and go. But if you've been dealing with it for at least six months, it may be chronic. You should see a doctor.

At UPMC Magee-Womens, we treat women who have chronic pelvic pain from a wide range of causes.

Health problems we treat include:

Endometriosis. Cells of the uterine lining grow outside the uterus. Clumps of tissue may grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and bladder. This health problem can cause pain and make it hard to get pregnant.
Adenomyosis. Uterine tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often in women who've had at least one pregnancy. It can cause heavy, painful periods and pain during sex. Symptoms often go away after menopause or a hysterectomy.
Interstitial cystitis (IC). People with IC have inflamed or irritated bladder walls, which causes pain or pressure in the pelvic area. Women can mistake IC for a urinary tract infection because the symptoms are alike. Some people with IC also have IBS or fibromyalgia.
Pelvic floor dysfunction. The muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum no longer work well together. This can lead to urine or stool leaks, pelvic organ prolapse, and painful sex. Risk factors include pregnancy, age, and being overweight.

Treatment for pelvic pain depends on its cause and how severe it is. Many pelvic pain symptoms overlap, which can make it a challenge to diagnose.

Our doctors and specialists at UPMC Magee-Womens, do exams and use imaging to diagnose chronic pelvic pain.

There's no one cure for chronic pelvic pain.

Some of the treatments and services we offer include:

Medicine. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may relieve chronic pelvic pain.
Botox®. Botox shots into the bladder may help with some types of pelvic pain.
Hormone therapy. Birth control pills and other drugs may relieve pelvic pain.
Physical therapy. Pelvic floor therapy can help some women with chronic pelvic pain. Treatment includes massage, stretching exercises, and relaxation techniques.Our team works closely with a pelvic health physical therapist.
Minimally invasive surgery. Surgery can remove endometrial tissue and scar tissue. Your doctors may advise a hysterectomy if you have severe symptoms but aren't near menopause.
Mental health care. Women with chronic pelvic pain often get misdiagnosed for years. They may suffer from depression and anxiety. Therapy can help with the mental issues that go along with chronic pelvic pain.

To learn more about pelvic pain or to make an appointment, call 814-877-8950.

UPMC Magee-Womens Specialty Center

5050 West Ridge Road, 3rd Floor
Erie, PA 16506