Services

The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia Contents Services

 

What We Do

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Complex pain requires a complex approach.

Pelvic pain doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s tied to menstruation, anxiety, depression, weight gain, weight loss, digestion, and a myriad of other factors. More often than not, it takes several types of treatments in conjunction to help our patients feel better.

We start by addressing the root causes of chronic pelvic pain then explore all potential solutions.

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What Is Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)?

Any pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months can be CPP.

CPP may include a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Painful menses (menstrual periods)
  • Painful intercourse
  • Limited physical activity due to pain
  • Lack of response to conventional treatment

CPP involves a number of factors and causes, including interstitial cystitis (IC), endometriosis (“endo”), pelvic floor dysfunction, vulvodynia, chronic vaginitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

And because it often coincides with psychological issues, treating CPP requires an open, ongoing dialogue between patient and physician.

How we treat chronic pelvic pain (CPP)

Drug treatments

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medications, and/or hormonal therapy

Holistic therapies and techniques

Acupuncture, ozone therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), energy healing

Surgical options

Surgery for chronic pelvic pain is minimally invasive. Dr. Delgado is an expert in robot-assisted excisional surgery and can produce excellent results with minimal downtime.

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Conditions we treat

Endometriosis is a common disorder in which the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus and surrounding organs. This tissue grows and continues to function like normal endometrial tissue, causing painful periods which progressively get worse and interfere with daily life.

Also known as painful bladder syndrome, IC is a chronic inflammatory condition. Common symptoms include bladder pain, frequent urination and urgency, lower back pain, pelvic pain, and pain during sex.

IBS is a common chronic disorder affecting the large intestine. Common symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and excess gas.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is an inability to coordinate and relax the muscles that support the pelvis. Common symptoms include pelvic pain, bladder and bowel issues, and painful intercourse.

Chronic vaginitis refers to persistent irritation and/or inflammation of the vagina. Symptoms typically include itching, vaginal odor, and changes in vaginal discharge from baseline color, consistency, and amount.

Vulvodynia describes chronic, unexplained discomfort or pain around the vulva lasting for three or more months. Symptoms can include sensations of stinging, burning, throbbing, or irritation.

Trauma is anything that may cause a shock to the mind-body-spirit axis. An individual’s experience of trauma impacts every area of their functioning: physical, mental, behavioral, social, and spiritual. We offer support through mindfulness and energy-healing techniques.

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Procedures

Office Procedures

We specialize in a variety of low-impact and minimally invasive office procedures, leveraging innovative new technologies like the Endosee® and MonaLisa Touch®. These procedures can be performed safely and easily with local anesthesia right at The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia.

An in-office ultrasound allows Dr. Delgado to visualize the pelvic structures, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

In this procedure, Dr. Delgado removes a sample of the uterine lining (endometrial tissue or endometrium) to help uncover the causes of pelvic pain and irregular bleeding.

The Endosee® is a revolutionary system that allows Dr. Delgado to evaluate the causes of heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and possible uterine fibroids or polyps. Because the device is so small, most women don’t require anesthesia.

An intrauterine device is a small, T-shaped copper or silicone device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy or manage heavy, painful periods. Both insertion and removal of an IUD take approximately 15 minutes.

Dr. Delgado proudly offers MonaLisa Touch® an innovative laser technology for gynecologic use. This is a fast, simple, and easy procedure with no downtime. It is a hormone- and chemical-free option for vaginal health, vaginal dryness, or painful intercourse. Most of my patients have called it “life-changing.”

Hospital Procedures/ Same-day surgery

Cystoscopy allows Dr. Delgado to examine the inside of the bladder, revealing potential causes of bladder pain and interstitial cystitis (IC).

The MyoSure® device allows for resection (removal) of uterine tissues, such as fibroids and polyps, responsible for abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain.

NovaSure® endometrial ablation is a 5-minute procedure for the removal of the uterine lining (endometrium). It can reduce or eliminate heavy, painful periods.

Dr. Delgado is an expert in minimally invasive surgery using the robotics platform the da Vinci® System. This cutting-edge technology—including the Lisa Laser, Dr. Delgado’s preferred tool for excision of endometriosis—allows for endometrial resection using only a very small incision (~1 cm).

Holistic Care and Wellness

We have seen the benefits that comprehensive, holistic care can have on chronic pelvic pain.

After seeing the benefits of integrative medicine, Dr. Delgado became certified to practice acupuncture in 2007. Now, The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia is proud to help heal pain using Battlefield acupuncture, a technique created by Dr. Niemtzow. Dr. Delgado uses acupuncture to give women lasting pain relief without medication or narcotics.

Ozone therapy is an innovative form of alternative medicine that uses ozone—a gas composed of three oxygen atoms—to improve the body’s oxygen levels, decreasing inflammation, decreasing infection, and helping to stimulate the immune system.

Platelets (found in the blood’s plasma) are rich in growth factors, which stimulate cell growth and promote the regeneration of tissue. In platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, these platelets are concentrated and injected into different areas of the body to promote healthy skin regeneration. Dr. Delgado primarily uses PRP for lichen sclerosus, pelvic pain, and vaginal rejuvenation.

Where medicine and energy meet. Dr. Delgado found energy work and intuitive healing in her search for non-invasive modalities to help heal sexual abuse, trauma, and chronic illness, and she considers it a life-changing tool to heal in a deep, powerful way. Thanks to the generosity of Sarah Lascano, she has completed 3 levels of professional training using her technique: RayZen Lightwork.