In order to diagnose pelvic pain, it’s essential for Balcones OB/GYN to perform a pelvic examination. Our Austin team might also opt to perform imaging scans and lab tests. Depending on the severity of the pain and what’s causing it, Dr. Binford may deem it necessary to consult with another doctor or refer you to a specialist.

You will be asked about your medical history and may also be asked to keep a record of your pain. This involves taking notes on when the pain occurs, what it feels like and its duration. This will aid Dr. Binford in finding the cause of your discomfort.

After Dr. Bindford finds what’s causing the pain, she and her Austin team can recommend a treatment regimen to help manage it or treat the cause. This may involve:

•  Prescription or non-prescription medicines
•  Surgical intervention
•  Heat therapy
•  Nutritional and physical therapy

Depending on what’s causing your pain, it may be chronic or acute. Acute pain often sharp, occurs without warning and is caused by a single factor. In some cases, it can indicate a serious problem. Some causes of acute pelvic pain may be:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Urinary tract infections
• Ovarian cysts
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

It’s important to notify Balcones OB/GYN immediately when you notice acute pain. Treating it may require only a course of antibiotics, or it may require surgery. You’re encouraged to keep detailed logs of your symptoms and discuss them openly with Dr. Binford.

Chronic pain is experienced over a long period. It may remit and return or be consistent. When this type of pain isn’t constant, it typically has a singular cause. If it’s constant, it can have multiple causes. Either way, you should track your symptoms and discuss them with the team at Balcones to help determine the cause or causes. These may include:

•  Dyspareunia, or pain during sex. This may have physical or psychological causes.
•  Dysmenorrhea, or period pain. Some pain is normal, but if it’s severe enough to interfere with your daily life, it can be cause for concern.
• Endometriosis. When endometrial tissue develops outside the uterus.
•  Adenomyosis. When the endometrium grows into the uterine wall.
•  Ovulation pain. Can range from mild to severe and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Contact us today at 512-452-8888 to schedule an appointment, or to learn more about the services that we provide. We will be pleased assist you in your Austin cancer screening needs.