Thousands of people in the U.S. suffer from pelvic pain. Pelvic pain can start for many reasons, it may be caused by an existing medical condition or it may have started after an accident. No matter how your pain began, it is important to get it sorted, and fast. Evidence suggests that pelvic pain will only increase in severity over time, so treating it early is key.
The best place to start when it comes to treating pelvic pain is to find a good pelvic pain specialist. These specialists are qualified to treat your condition and will be able to help you manage or eliminate any pain you may have.
However, it is often hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing a specialist. There are so many different options available that it can feel overwhelming. So, to help you out we have come up with a list of some things you should consider before starting your search for a pelvic pain specialist.
Consider Location
Location is the first important factor you need to consider when you start looking for a pelvic pain specialist. It is always a good idea to start by looking for specialists who are located near you. After all, it is much easier and less time-consuming to visit a pelvic pain specialist who is located nearby.
Read the Reviews.
The next thing you need to do is to read online reviews from past or existing patients. Reading reviews from previous patients will help you to choose the best pelvic doctor that will be able to cater to your needs. If you find that a doctor has negative reviews from their previous patients, then it is advisable to look for someone else.
Look at the Treatments They Offer
When looking for a pelvic pain specialist, it is a good idea to consider what type of treatments they offer their patients. Gather information about the different treatments they provide and then do some research into them. You should look to see how effective these treatments are.
It may also be a good idea to ask your specialist if they have experience in other areas of medicine. Choosing a specialist who has expertise across a range of areas is usually a great choice as it will save you from having to visit different practitioners for different medical conditions or complaints.
Consider Experience
Before you visit a pelvic pain specialist, it is important to consider the level of experience they have. Contemplate choosing a specialist who has at least 5 years of experience in taking care of patients with pelvic pain issues. These practitioners are more likely to have the skills and knowledge needed to help you overcome your pelvic problems.
Although experience is important, it is also a good idea to look for a doctor who has the right educational background. For example, you should make sure that the pelvic specialist you choose has a doctorate or master’s certificate in this area of medicine.
Check to See if They Are a Member of a Certified Board
Prior to visiting any doctor, it is a good idea to check to see if the medical practitioner is a member of a certified board in your area. Doctors who are certified will have been put through rigorous testing to ensure that they are competent in a certain field of medicine. Board certification is a step beyond obtaining a medical license.
While most doctors in the U.S. are board-certified, it is important to note that not all doctors are certified in the area that they practice in.
Ask Lots of Questions
Asking potential specialists questions is more important than you would think. Before visiting a pelvic pain specialist, make a list of any queries you have on a piece of paper. For example, you may want to know how many employees work alongside the specialist, what their opening hours are and what equipment they have available. Good pelvic pain specialists will be willing to discuss your queries with you.
Research has shown that it takes people approximately 4.5 years before they talk to a doctor about their pelvic pain. One of the main reasons for this is because finding a doctor with the skills and experience necessary to treat pelvic pain is often more difficult than it sounds.
Going to a primary care doctor for pelvic pain is like visiting a local dentist to get a root canal. You may think they are qualified to help, but they lack the training and expertise you need. To have a root canal you would have to visit an endodontist and not a general dentist. In the same way, if you are suffering from pelvic pain, you would want to visit a pelvic pain specialist and not a primary care doctor. While primary care doctors may be able to give you some advice, they will not always know the best treatment options available to you. So, if you are looking for a specialist who can help you, then make sure you follow our advice above.
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