Chronic pelvic pain lasts six months or more and can involve the nerves, muscles, and joints of the pelvis, including the pudendal nerve, the pelvic floor muscles, and the sacroiliac joints. It affects both women and men.
Many patients have already seen several specialists before the musculoskeletal and nerve-related sources of pelvic pain are considered. A pain-focused evaluation looks specifically at those structures.
Common symptoms
- Pelvic pain lasting longer than expected
- Pain that’s worse with sitting
- Pain that radiates to the low back or hips
- Pain persisting after other treatment
How interventional pain physicians treat it
Interventional pain physicians typically coordinate with gynecologic, urologic, and gastrointestinal specialists while treating the pain sources within their reach. Care may include:
- Physical therapy
- Nerve blocks
- Trigger point injections
- Neuromodulation
Treatment is always determined by a physician based on individual evaluation. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why hasn’t anyone found the cause of my pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain often involves nerves and muscles that routine imaging and scopes do not evaluate well. A targeted exam of the pelvic floor, nerves, and joints frequently identifies treatable sources.
What is pudendal neuralgia?
It is irritation or entrapment of the pudendal nerve, causing burning or aching pain in the pelvic region, often worse with sitting. Diagnostic nerve blocks help confirm it and guide treatment.
Can pelvic floor muscles cause pain?
Yes. Chronically tight or dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles are a common and underrecognized source of pelvic pain, and they typically respond to specialized physical therapy combined with targeted injections.
Independent, physician-owned practices in the DxTx network provide this kind of care across 11 states. One call connects you to the practice closest to you.