Chronic Pelvic Pain Treatment
Chronic Pelvic Pain Treatment
Chronic pelvic pain is a complex clinical picture that describes continuous or recurrent pain in the area below the navel lasting for at least six months. This pain is often not tied to a single cause; rather, it emerges through the interaction of gynecological, urological, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erkılınç manages this challenging process, which deeply affects the patient’s vitality and psychological health, with the precision of a detective, offering comprehensive treatment solutions focused on the root cause of the pain.
Core Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain
Identifying the source of the pain is half the treatment. From a gynecologic oncology and advanced surgical perspective, the primary underlying reasons for the pain include:
1. Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
Endometriosis, commonly known as chocolate cyst, or adenomyosis, which is a disease of the uterine muscular layer, are the most common surgical causes of pelvic pain. These tissues bleed during menstrual periods, leading to severe inflammation and adhesions.
2. Pelvic Adhesions
Intra-abdominal bands formed after previous surgeries (cesarean section, appendicitis, etc.) or pelvic infections can cause chronic pain by restricting the movement of organs.
3. Myomas and Ovarian Cysts
The pressure exerted by large-sized myomas on surrounding tissues or chronic ovarian cysts can create a persistent sensation of fullness and pain.
4. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
This is a clinical picture of dull pain that increases particularly when standing, resulting from the dilation of varicose veins in the pelvic region (essentially uterine varicose veins).
Diagnostic and Evaluation Approaches
The diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain requires a multidisciplinary perspective that goes beyond standard examinations. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erkılınç follows these steps during the diagnostic process:
1. Detailed Pain Mapping
When the pain started, its triggering factors (sexual intercourse, bowel/bladder habits, cyclical changes), and the character of the pain are meticulously evaluated.
2. Advanced Imaging Techniques
Organ involvement and vascular dilations are examined using high-resolution Doppler ultrasonography and dynamic pelvic MRI.
3. Diagnostic Laparoscopy (Gold Standard)
Nerve entrapments, small endometriosis foci, or thin adhesions that cannot be detected by imaging methods are directly observed with the help of a closed camera system (Laparoscopy) and are often treated during the same session.
Treatment Protocols with Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erkılınç
Treatment is planned in a step-by-step manner according to the source of the pain. The goal is not only to relieve the pain but also to permanently improve the patient’s quality of life.
1. Medical and Hormonal Therapies
Modern drug protocols that suppress pain and reduce inflammation are implemented for conditions with hormonal sensitivity, such as endometriosis.
2. Minimally Invasive Surgical Intervention
If the cause of the pain is an anatomical disorder, adhesion, or mass, Dr. Erkılınç removes the pain focus using the laparoscopic method, causing minimal damage to tissues. Protecting delicate nerve networks in the pelvic area with “nerve-sparing surgery” techniques is prioritized.
3. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Supportive Treatments
While pelvic floor rehabilitation is recommended for muscle-sourced pain, lifestyle changes and neuropathic treatment options are activated for patients with increased nerve sensitivity (central sensitization).
Returning to a Pain-Free Life
Chronic pelvic pain is a serious condition that causes patients to disconnect from their social and professional lives. Acting on the principle that “every pain has a reason,” Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erkılınç aims to rescue his patients from this complex cycle and offer them a pain-free, quality future.