Advanced gynecology for pelvic pain

Dignity Health – St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, is dedicated to pelvic pain treatment and advanced gynecologic surgery. Our surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all conditions leading to chronic pelvic pain—especially complicated diagnoses that require advanced surgical procedures.

We are one of only three hospitals in the country that perform surgical decompression of injured pudendal nerves. We are also one of the few institutions in the country to perform the laparoscopic Vecchetti procedure to treat vaginal agenesis, a condition where the vagina and uterus don’t fully develop.

What are the symptoms?

Pelvic pain can be cyclical or constant and typically begins suddenly with an intensity that ranges from dull and achy to sharp and stabbing. Patients often complain of pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder, pelvis, rectum, and lower back. Other symptoms may include problems urinating, difficulty with bowel movement, or painful intercourse.

How can my condition be diagnosed?

Although you may already have a diagnosis from a doctor, we want to be sure we are addressing all the causes of your pain. If your pain is chronic, finding the underlying cause may be a long process. We start by obtaining a thorough physical exam and medical history, including a review of bladder and bowel function, history of surgeries, falls, and activities. Depending on your condition, it’s possible additional tests could be performed.

What are my treatment options?

Your treatment options will vary depending on the cause of your pain. Treatment options could include medications, BOTOX® injections, neurostimulation, physical therapy, and psychotherapy to relieve the causes of your pain and help you recover. You may also need a laparoscopic surgical procedure, or possibly a hysterectomy. At St. Joseph’s we want to be your destination for pelvic health from:

• Advanced gynecologic surgery
• Chronic pelvic pain evaluation and surgery
• Minimally invasive robotic procedures
• Pelvic floor reconstruction
• Pudendal nerve procedure