Chronic Pain

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain (updated 2020) -

"An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling that associated

 with actual or potential tissue damage.”

Many pain specialists recommend that the term “chronic pain” should be referred to as “persistent pain” – which can be continuous or recurrent and of sufficient duration and intensity to adversely affect a person’s well-being, level of function, and quality of life. when persistent, it can become a disease in its own right.

People responds to pain differently. Some people have a high tolerance for pain, while others have a low tolerance. For this reason, pain is highly subjective. Chronic pain occur and last over a period of time. The highly subjective and personalized nature of pain make it a complex problem to diagnose and treat.

High-impact chronic pain is associated with substantial restriction of participation in personal, work, social, and self-care activities.

Pelvic pain is in the region below the belly button, around the pelvis, lower abdomen and between the hips. The pain can come from reproductive organs, intestines, genitals, muscles, and bones. It can be a continuous feeling or intermittent. Some feel like a “dull ache”, some experience “sharp cramps” and some complain of "internal stabbing". Whatever it is, it's a worse feeling that can impact quality of life. Chronic pelvic pain affects about 1 in 6 adult females but is underreported, especially in men. There are various reasons for pelvic pain. It is also possible that men and women can develop pelvic pain after certain operations. Biological / physiological changes and psychological factors play a significant role.

Early referral to a pain specialist, especially one sensitive to the unique needs of the person with chronic pelvic pain, can be life changing. Treatments to reduce pelvic pain include  interventions like radiofrequency procedures, peripheral nerve stimulation, fluoroscopy / CT / X-ray / ultrasound guided blocks. Other treatments may include pain medications, complementary and alternative medicine, referral to pelvic-floor physical therapists, and consultation with pain psychologists who can teach relaxation and biofeedback techniques.

Dr Vyawahare is skilled in treating adult male and female pelvic pain conditions like pudendal neuralgia, pudendal neuropathy, vulvodynia, endometriosis, mesh complications, bladder pain syndrome, rectal pain, proctalgia, prostatitis, coccydynia, penile and testicular pain.