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Pelvic pain is one of the most common reasons women seek gynecological consultation, yet it remains one of the most under-diagnosed and under-appreciated symptoms. When that pain recurs month after month, interferes with your daily life or cannot be explained by the usual findings, endometriosis may be behind it all. Recognizing when it's time to seek out an endometriosis gynecologist can make a huge difference, both in the time it takes to receive a diagnosis and in the quality of the treatment you receive.
From Ginelux, a gynecological practice based in Telde and serving patients from all over Gran Canaria, including Las Palmas, Vecindario, Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, we want to bring you clear and useful information so you can make informed decisions about your health.
What chronic pelvic pain is and why you should not normalize it
Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than six months in the lower abdomen or pelvis, either continuously or in recurrent episodes. It is not simply a passing discomfort: it can affect work performance, sex life, sleep and emotional well-being.
For years, many women have heard phrases such as ‘it's normal that it hurts’ or ‘it's typical period pains’. This normalization has real consequences: according to data available in the medical literature, the diagnosis of endometriosis takes an average of 7 to 10 years from the onset of the first symptoms. A delay that, in many cases, could be avoided with a specialized gynecological consultation in time.
Differences between common menstrual pain and pelvic pain that merit attention
Not all pain during menstruation indicates a serious problem. However, there are signs that distinguish a menstrual pain within normal variability from one that requires evaluation:
- Pain that does not subside with usual analgesics or that requires rest
- Discomfort that also occurs outside of the period, during sexual intercourse or during defecation
- Pain that worsens over time instead of remaining stable
- Symptoms accompanied by irregular bleeding, persistent abdominal swelling or difficulty in becoming pregnant
If you recognize any of these situations, it is time to visit a gynecologist for a specific evaluation.
Endometriosis: the disease that many women carry without knowing it
Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which endometrial-like tissue, the inner layer of the uterus, grows outside the uterus. It can appear on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel or peritoneum. Each month, this tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle just as it would inside the uterus: it becomes inflamed, bleeds and generates adhesions that can cause severe pain and affect fertility.
It is estimated to affect between 10 and 15% of women of reproductive age, although the real figures are probably higher due to underdiagnosis. In Gran Canaria, as in the rest of Spain, access to a gynecologist specialized in endometriosis within the public health system usually involves long waiting lists, which leads many patients to seek a second opinion or a more agile follow-up in a private gynecological clinic.
Most common symptoms that point to endometriosis
Endometriosis can manifest itself in very different ways depending on the person and the location of the affected tissue. These are the symptoms that most often lead to suspect its presence:
- Severe dysmenorrhea: severe menstrual pain that does not respond well to anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Dyspareunia: pain during or after sexual intercourse
- Pain with defecation or urination, especially during menstruation
- Bleeding between periods or very heavy menses
- Chronic fatigue and general feeling of discomfort around the cycle.
- Difficulties in conceiving without apparent cause
The presence of several of these symptoms does not confirm the diagnosis, but does warrant a consultation with a gynecologist experienced in pelvic pathology.
How is the diagnosis of endometriosis reached?
The diagnosis of endometriosis is one of the most complex processes in gynecology, precisely because the symptoms overlap with other pathologies and because there is no single definitive test to confirm it without surgical intervention.
The evaluation always begins with a detailed clinical history: when the symptoms appear, what they are related to, what treatments have been tried and what the response has been. From there, the gynecologist may request a high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound, which can identify endometriotic cysts in the ovaries (endometriomas) and deep lesions in adjacent structures. In more complex cases, a pelvic MRI may be necessary or, ultimately, a diagnostic laparoscopy, which allows direct visualization of the lesions and confirms the diagnosis.
At Ginelux, the gynecological team, formed among others by Ramón Santana García, medical director with specialization in Gynecology and Obstetrics, and gynecologists such as Mónica Álvarez Sánchez, Elena Torres Castellano, Rosa Rodríguez de la Mano, Lucía González Sánchez and Marta de Luis, works with an approach aimed at reducing as much as possible the diagnostic waiting time that so many women have experienced as a source of frustration and wear and tear.
Frequent errors in the diagnostic process
One of the most common problems is that pelvic pain is treated symptomatically, with contraceptives or analgesics, without investigating its real cause. This can mask endometriosis and delay its proper treatment. Another common mistake is to dismiss the disease because a conventional ultrasound scan shows no abnormalities: superficial or peritoneal endometriosis may not be visible on standard imaging tests.
Going to a gynecological clinic with specific experience in pelvic pathology, whether in Las Palmas, Telde or with attention to patients from Agaete, Vecindario or any point of Gran Canaria, considerably increases the chances of reaching a correct and timely diagnosis.
Treatment options: from medical management to surgery
The treatment of endometriosis depends on multiple factors: the extent of the disease, the intensity of the symptoms, the patient's age, her desire for future fertility and her response to previous treatments. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for all women.
Medical and hormonal treatment
The initial approach is usually medical. Combined hormonal contraceptives, progestogens or GnRH analogs can reduce pain and slow disease progression by suppressing or regulating the menstrual cycle. These treatments do not eliminate existing lesions, but they significantly improve the quality of life in many patients.
Gynecological surgery
When medical treatment is not sufficient, endometriosis causes severe adhesions or involves structures such as the ovaries, bladder or bowel, surgical intervention may be indicated. Laparoscopy is the reference technique: it allows resection or coagulation of the lesions with a much faster recovery than open surgery. At Ginelux, the surgical team, with the accumulated experience of gynecologists such as Eleazar Bravo Moreno, approaches these procedures with an individualized approach and oriented to preserve ovarian function when possible. You can learn more about the procedures available in the section of Ginelux gynecological surgeries.
When to look for a gynecologist specialized in endometriosis in Gran Canaria
Many women who live in areas such as Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés or in inland municipalities and the north of Gran Canaria feel that access to specialized gynecological care is far from their daily lives. Ginelux, with an office in Telde and the capacity to attend patients from Las Palmas and the rest of the island, seeks to bring this level of specialized care closer to them without distance being an obstacle.
These are some clear indicators that it is time to seek specific assessment beyond general gynecology:
- You have been experiencing symptoms of pelvic pain for more than a year without a clear diagnosis.
- You have tried several hormonal treatments without sustained improvement.
- Pain significantly affects your quality of life, work or relationships.
- You are having difficulty conceiving and there is no identified cause.
- An ultrasound has shown ovarian cysts that could be endometriomas.
In all these cases, having a gynecologist with regular training and practice in endometriotic pathology makes a real difference. The team of Ginelux general gynecology can help guide you through this process from the very first consultation.
At Ginelux, gynecological care is not only focused on the diagnosis, but also on the experience of each patient. This approach is reflected in the day-to-day practice. This approach is also part of the day-to-day practice, as reflected in the following content shared by the Ginelux team:
Private gynecologist or public care: when does it make sense to seek private practice?
This is a question many women ask themselves, especially when they feel their symptoms are not being taken seriously or when waiting times are longer than their situation allows.
Private gynecological care is not synonymous with better quality in all cases, but it does offer some advantages in specific contexts: faster access to complementary tests, greater availability to resolve doubts between visits, continuity in follow-up with the same professional and the possibility of integrating several specialties in a coordinated manner.
In the case of endometriosis, where the time to diagnosis has a direct impact on the evolution of the disease, a consultation with a private gynecologist in Las Palmas or Telde can be the way to avoid years of waiting and inadequate treatment. It is not a question of replacing the public system, but of complementing it when the circumstances justify it.
Gynecological clinic in Las Palmas and Gran Canaria: what you need to know before making an appointment
Before addressing the most frequently asked questions, it is worth clarifying that not all gynecologic practices have the same level of expertise in pelvic pathology. When seeking care for chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis, it is worth asking whether the team has specific expertise in these areas, whether high-resolution ultrasound is available in-house, and whether there is ready access to laparoscopic surgery if needed.
Frequently asked questions about pelvic pain and endometriosis
Does pelvic pain always indicate endometriosis?
How long does it take to diagnose endometriosis?
Is there a cure for endometriosis?
Can I get pregnant if I have endometriosis?
What should I bring to my first visit for pelvic pain?
This content is exclusively informative and informative. It is not a substitute for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a health professional. In case of any symptom, always consult your gynecologist.
Make an appointment at Ginelux: specialized gynecological care in Gran Canaria
If you have been living with pelvic pain for some time without a clear answer, or if you suspect that endometriosis may be behind what you feel, the Ginelux team is available to accompany you in this process. With a consultation in Telde and attention to patients from Las Palmas, Vecindario, Agaete, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and all of Gran Canaria, you can easily request your first assessment.
