While pelvic pain is difficult to diagnose, there are doctors who understand and know how to treat it. Ideally, the doctor should have expertise in pain and gynecology, but such individuals can be difficult to find. Be aware that many doctors and other health-care practitioners call themselves pain specialists, but may not be as well trained or experienced in treating chronic pain conditions.
Here are some places and people that can help manage pelvic pain:
Comprehensive Pain Centers. Such centers provide multi-modal, interdisciplinary treatment, but may not have pelvic programs or specialists. Be sure to check first.
Pain Medicine Physicians. Pain medicine has become a medical specialty in recent years. Pain medicine physicians specialize in treating many different pain conditions. Depending on background and interest, many treat pelvic pain; however, inquire about their experience and interest in treating pelvic pain and whether they incorporate a variety of therapeutic (multi-modality) approaches.
Pelvic Specialists/Obstetricians/Gynecologists/Urologists/Physical therapists/Colorectal specialists/Sex and Pain Counselors: These health care providers have special skills, training, and education in women's health care, but they may not be well versed in chronic pain. Be sure to ask about their experience with treating chronic pelvic pain.
Professional Groups
Following are professional societies that may be able to help you locate health care professionals or facilities that are knowledgeable about managing and treating chronic pelvic pain.
Pelvic Pain-Related
International Pelvic Pain Society
Suite 402, Women's Medical Plaza
2006 Brookwood Medical Center Drive
Birmingham, AL 35203
(800) 624-9676
(205) 877-2950 (outside the US)
http://www.pelvicpain.org/
Interstitial Cystitis Association
110 North Washington Street - Suite 340
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(301) 610-5300
Fax: (301) 610-5308
E-mail: icamail@ichelp.org
http://www.ichelp.org
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association
1440 Whalley Ave. #145
New Haven, CT 06515
E-mail: ibsa@ibsassociation.org
http://www.ibsassociation.org
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
409 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C., 20090-6920
http://www.acog.org/
National Vulvodynia Association
PO Box 4491
Silver Spring, MD 20914-4491
(301) 299-0775
Fax: (301) 299-3999
http://www.nva.org
North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
1015 Chestnut Street, Suite 1225
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4302
(215) 955-6331
Fax: (215) 923-3474
http://www.naspag.org/
International Adhesions Society
http://www.adhesions.org/
Pain-Related
American Academy of Pain Medicine
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 375-4731
http://www.painmed.org
American Board of Pain Medicine
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 375-4726
http://www.abpm.org
American Chronic Pain Association
Post Office Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 632-0922
http://www.theacpa.org
American Society of Pain Management Nurses
7794 Grow Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514
(888) 34-ASPMN (342-7766)
Fax: (850) 484-8762
http://www.aspmn.org/
American Pain Society
4700 W. Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 375-4715
Fax: (877) 734-8758
E-mail: info@ampainsoc.org
http://www.ampainsoc.org/
Other Health Care-Related
American Academy of Family Physicians
P.O. Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
(800) 274-2237
http://www.aafp.org/
http://familydoctor.org/
The National Women's Health Information Center
8550 Arlington Blvd., Suite 300
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 994-WOMAN (800-994-9662)
http://www.4woman.gov/