Pain During Sex? Here’s What Your Pelvic Pain Doctor in Greenbelt, Maryland Wants You to Know
Having pain during sex can be scary, and let’s just be honest – it kills the mood.
If your intimate life is suffering because of painful intercourse, it’s time to make an appointment with a pelvic pain doctor in Greenbelt, Maryland for women’s health care.
What Pelvic Pain Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Do you experience any of the following?
- Aching in your pelvic region
- Inability to get or stay aroused
- Inability to produce natural lubricant
- Pain during sex that may or may not linger afterward
- Pain when inserting or removing a tampon
- Painful or uncontrollable muscle spasms
- Sharp or stabbing sensation in your bowels
- Unusual discharge, itching, or soreness
Having persistent pelvic pain, whether during sex or not, is cause for concern. If you are familiar with even one of the above symptoms, you should see your pelvic pain doctor as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can lead to serious health issues.
What Causes Pelvic Pain During Sex?
You might be surprised to learn that pelvic pain during sex can have several causes, all of which require the help of a pelvic pain doctor in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), endometriosis, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation can all contribute to pelvic pain. In addition, it could be an undiagnosed sexually transmitted disease, an infection of some type, or, if you’re at the right age, perimenopause. You’ll also want to rule out genital irritation because of an allergy to soaps, detergents, or latex condoms.
How IsPelvic Pain Diagnosed?
You’ll begin your appointment with a discussion about your medical history, the medications you’re taking, and your symptoms. It’s important to thoroughly describe everything you are experiencing, even if it doesn’t seem related.
You’ll also have a pelvic exam along with tests. Your pelvic pain doctor will likely want you to have blood and urine tests. Based on what your doctor discovers, it’s also possible you’ll have an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI. Other possible tests to diagnose pelvic pain include pelvic laparoscopy, cystoscopy, or colonoscopy.
Be patient. It can take some time to determine the actual cause of your pelvic pain and to treat it properly.
What Pelvic Pain Treatments Are Available?
Once your pelvic pain doctor has determined a cause, then you can begin treatment. There are many possible options to improve your quality of life:
- Medications: You may be prescribed pain relievers, antibiotics, and / or a low-dose antidepressant.
- Hormone therapy: If it is discovered that your pelvic pain coincides with your menstrual cycle, then you might benefit from birth control. If you’re in perimenopause, you might find another form of hormone therapy that eases your pelvic pain.
- Various therapies: Exercises learned during physical therapy can help you better cope with pain and sometimes relieve it altogether. Psychotherapy can help you deal with pain, as well as manage symptoms caused by trauma.
- Surgery: Often done as a last resort when all other treatments have failed, you may need either laparoscopic surgery or a hysterectomy.
It’s important to note that you may need one or more types of chronic pelvic pain treatment to eliminate your symptoms.
I’m Nervous About My Appointment! How Do I Prepare for a Visit With My Pelvic Pain Doctor?
The most important thing to remember is this. Pelvic pain is very common, and it affects millions of women every year. The goal of your doctor is to diagnose and treat you in a professional and respectful manner. You’ll never be judged and you can believe that they’ve heard it all!
So, deep breath! You can relax!
Your doctor will ask a lot of questions so be prepared to answer. Go to your appointment with written notes that include:
- Important medical-related dates like surgeries, births, miscarriages, date of your last period, date of your last pelvic exam, and other helpful information.
- Family medical history, especially gynecological issues of females in your family
- Problems you’ve had during your period such as irregular / heavy bleeding, cramping, etc.
- Your symptoms, including when they began, what triggers the pain
- Specific questions or concerns you want to address
Most pelvic pain doctors have their patient forms right on their websites for download. If you can print and fill them out before your appointment, it is a huge help. If not, call and ask if the forms can be mailed to you, as filling out forms in advance eliminates all the pressure a lot of patients feel when having to fill all of that information out during a short time in the waiting room.
You might also want to consider scheduling your next appointment before you leave. It can be difficult to get appointments, so even if yours is six months or a year away, get it on the books now so you don’t have to remember to do it later.
Where Do I Find the Best Pelvic Pain Doctor in Greenbelt, Maryland?
Only at Women’s HealthCare Specialists will you receive the highest quality personalized care! Our medical healthcare team led by Dr. Navita Modi has a mission in mind, and that is to make sure you live a healthy, happy life.
It is our unique combination of the latest technology, the most advanced treatments, and a holistic approach that allows us to provide you with the best of modern medicine and classic care.
If you are experiencing pelvic pain for any reason, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Give us a call at 301-812-3400 to schedule your appointment today!
