What Is Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain in women can stem from many different causes, including:

• Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
• Bladder pain syndrome / Interstitial cystitis (IC)
• Recurrent bladder irritation
• Endometriosis
• Pudendal nerve irritation
• Urethral irritation
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Postpartum pelvic trauma
• Hormonal changes
• Spine, hip, or musculoskeletal issues
• Prior surgeries or scar tissue

Because pelvic pain may originate from multiple sources, an accurate diagnosis is essential.

What Is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic condition characterized by:

• Bladder or pelvic pain
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary frequency
• Pressure or burning
• Symptoms worsening with bladder filling
• Pain with certain foods or drinks

Many women are told these symptoms are “recurrent UTIs,” even when urine cultures are negative — IC is often the real cause.

Our Comprehensive Evaluation

RoMIUS Urology performs a thorough, gentle evaluation to identify all potential contributors to pelvic or bladder pain:

• Detailed pelvic examination
• Pelvic floor muscle assessment
• Urinalysis & urine culture
• Cystoscopy when indicated
• Imaging (ultrasound/CT) if needed
• Review of hormonal status (perimenopause/menopause)
• Assessment of bowel function
• Spine & musculoskeletal screening
• Sexual health history
• Diet and triggers review

This multi-angle evaluation allows us to pinpoint the true cause and avoid unnecessary medications or procedures.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

A major cause of pelvic, urethral, and bladder pain is pelvic floor muscle hypertonicity (tightness, spasm, or poor coordination). This can directly mimic:

• IC symptoms
• Vaginal burning
• Painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Lower abdominal pressure
• Frequent urination

Treatment includes:

• Specialized pelvic floor physical therapy
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Core and posture training
• Trigger point release
• Myofascial therapy
• Coordination training for bladder emptying

We work closely with the region’s top pelvic floor therapists.

IC / Bladder Pain Treatments

For women with true IC, we offer the full spectrum of modern IC therapies:

Lifestyle & Trigger Management

• Diet modification (IC diet)
• Hydration strategies
• Stress reduction

Medical Therapies

• Oral medications
• Bladder relaxants
• Neuromodulators for nerve pain
• Antihistamines (when mast cell involvement is suspected)

Bladder-Directed Therapies

• Bladder instillations
• Heparin/lidocaine rescue instillations
• Botox® for refractory bladder pain
• Hydrodistention in select cases

Neuromodulation

• Sacral neuromodulation (InterStim®) for severe urgency + pain
  (You can choose whether to add your Center of Excellence status here or keep neuromodulation on the OAB page only.)

Addressing Other Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can overlap with or mimic:

• Urethral stricture or irritation
• Prolapse
• Chronic constipation
• Hormonal genitourinary syndrome (GSM)
• Vaginal atrophy
• Endometriosis
• Nerve entrapment

We coordinate with gynecology, pain specialists, GI, and pelvic floor therapists when interdisciplinary care is beneficial.

Why Women Choose RoMIUS Urology for Pelvic Pain & IC

• Thorough, gentle evaluation
• Expertise in IC and bladder-related pain
• Strong integration with pelvic floor physical therapists
• Experience treating complex or long-standing symptoms
• Full spectrum of bladder-directed therapies
• Focus on root cause—not just symptom suppression
• Collaborative, holistic care
• Personalized plans designed for long-term relief