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Pelvic Pain Specialist for Sugar Land Women

Pelvic pain is often a puzzle with more than one piece. A specialist who understands the bladder, reproductive organs and pelvic floor muscles can help put it together.

Women from Sugar Land are seen for pelvic pain evaluation and treatment at our Katy office, a direct drive north on the Grand Parkway. Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy, a board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist, looks at every possible source of pain, including the pelvic floor muscles that are often overlooked, and builds a plan that treats each contributing cause. We do not have a Sugar Land office.

Pelvic pain evaluation for Sugar Land women at our Katy office

Where Is Your Pain Coming From?

The pelvis holds the bladder, uterus, ovaries, bowel, muscles, nerves and joints in a small space, so pain from one source can feel like it is coming from another. The timing and triggers of your pain are some of the most useful clues.

  • Pain with periods: may point to endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids.
  • Pain as the bladder fills: may suggest bladder pain syndrome.
  • Pain with intercourse, sitting or after exercise: often involves tight pelvic floor muscles.
  • Pain with bowel movements: may relate to the bowel or to endometriosis.
  • Burning, aching or shooting pain: may involve nerve irritation.

Keeping a simple pain diary for a few weeks before your visit can make your evaluation more productive.

The Pelvic Floor Muscles and Pain

Muscle-related pain is one of the most common and most treatable causes of chronic pelvic pain.

Signs of pelvic floor muscle pain

  • Deep aching or pressure in the pelvis or rectum
  • Pain with intercourse or tampon use
  • Pain after sitting for long periods
  • Urinary urgency or a hesitant stream
  • Constipation or straining
  • Pain that spreads to the hips, tailbone or low back

Why the muscles tighten

  • Guarding in response to another painful condition
  • Childbirth injuries or surgery
  • Long-term holding of urine or stool
  • Stress and anxiety
  • High-intensity core training

When muscles stay tight, they can keep pain going even after the original cause is treated.

When to Seek Care

  • Pain has lasted several months or keeps coming back
  • Pain affects work, sleep, exercise or intimacy
  • Earlier treatments gave only partial relief
  • You have pain along with bladder or bowel symptoms

Pelvic pain can be an emergency. Sudden, severe pain, pain with fever, fainting or heavy bleeding, or pain during pregnancy needs immediate care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy, board-certified urogynecologist in Katy, TX

Meet Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy

Dr. Solafa Elshatanoufy is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and in advanced minimally invasive gynecology. That training spans the gynecologic, bladder and pelvic floor causes of pain, as well as laparoscopic surgery when it is needed. She works closely with our pelvic floor physical therapist, Sonya Asghari.

Learn more about Dr. Elshatanoufy

Your Evaluation

  • A detailed pain history, including your pain diary if you kept one
  • A gentle exam that maps tender areas, including the pelvic floor muscles
  • Urine tests and infection screening
  • Pelvic ultrasound when a structural cause is suspected
  • Cystoscopy or laparoscopy in selected cases

You are in control of the pace of every exam, and you can ask to pause at any time.

Treatment Options

Combining treatments that target each source of pain usually works best.

Muscle and nerve care

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy with manual release techniques
  • Trigger point injections in selected patients
  • Medications that calm nerve-related pain
  • Vaginal dilator therapy for pain with intercourse

Treating underlying conditions

  • Hormonal treatment for endometriosis or painful periods
  • Bladder-directed care for bladder pain syndrome
  • Vaginal estrogen for menopause-related pain
  • Minimally invasive laparoscopy when needed

See also our main pelvic pain page.

Why Sugar Land Women Choose Our Katy Office

One practice that looks at every source of pelvic pain.

  • Board-certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist
  • Pelvic floor muscle assessment in every evaluation
  • Pelvic floor physical therapist in the practice
  • Bladder pain and endometriosis care
  • Minimally invasive surgical expertise
  • Most major insurance plans accepted

What Our Patients Say

Patients share their experience of care at our Katy office. Individual results vary.

Read more reviews on Google

Dr. Elshatanoufy is simply wonderful! She took the time to thoroughly explain my extensive lab results and other tests, answered all of my questions, and gave me the confidence and peace of mind I needed before moving forward with the procedure.

The entire staff was also incredibly attentive, courteous, and welcoming throughout my visit. I truly loved my experience there and felt very well cared for. I definitely trust Dr. Elshatanoufy and her team with my health needs and would highly recommend them!

Monica CapellaGoogle review

I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Solafa. She is warm, attentive, and incredibly compassionate. She takes her time during appointments, listens carefully to concerns, and never makes you feel rushed. Her bedside manner is truly wonderful, and she creates such a comfortable and reassuring environment. You can tell she genuinely cares about her patients. Very sweet, professional, and knowledgeable. I’m so grateful to have found her for my mom’s treatment.

Saba AkhterGoogle review

Dr. Elshatanoufy was truly lovely to work with. I’ve had a hard time pinning down my symptoms but she was willing to hear my concerns and do a thorough examination to rule out more serious conditions. She was thorough, efficient, patient, gentle, and kind during the pelvic examination, which is a vulnerable position for women. I felt that she genuinely cared for my wellbeing. After receiving less than ideal care at a neighboring practice in Katy, I am really grateful to Dr. E for validating my concerns, making me feel heard, and reassured with my next steps.

The waiting room was pretty busy and cold when I went. Suggest bringing headphones and some long sleeves!

Mary O.Google review

My experience perfection. From check in to check out. Dia was my MA and she was so professional and a pleasure. She answered all my questions and made sure I was taken care of. Dr Elshatanoufy was AWESOME! Great bedside manner and make my exam comfortable. Then I had the pleasure to check out with Elizabeth and she was just as pleasant. I can tell this is an office that cares greatly for their patients!

Aimee NortonGoogle review

This was my first visit at Katy Women’s Pelvic Health. It was a great experience, from checking in with a very helpful and friendly receptionist to being seeing by Nida the office manager, Oyin the NP and Dr. E. Everyone was very friendly, professional, and made the visit very comfortable. They thoroughly explained all the finding and the options for treatment. I highly recommend this practice.

Patricia PerryGoogle review

Questions From Sugar Land Patients

Do you have an office in Sugar Land?

No. Sugar Land patients are seen at our Katy office at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320. Most reach us by taking the Grand Parkway (SH 99) north.

Can tight pelvic floor muscles really cause this much pain?

Yes. Pelvic floor muscle tension is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain and pain with intercourse, and it responds well to physical therapy.

Should I keep a pain diary?

It helps. Note when pain occurs, how strong it is, and what was happening, such as your period, intercourse, urination or sitting.

My ultrasound was normal. Why do I still hurt?

Many causes of pelvic pain, including muscle tension, nerve irritation, bladder pain and small areas of endometriosis, do not show on ultrasound.

Will I need surgery?

Most women improve without surgery. Laparoscopy is considered when endometriosis or another structural cause is suspected and other treatment has not helped.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We accept most major insurance plans. Our team can help you check your coverage.

Related Articles

More about pelvic pain from our Katy practice.

Visit the blog

Getting to Our Office From Sugar Land

Our office is at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, in Katy. From Sugar Land, most patients take the Grand Parkway (SH 99) north. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and accepting new patients. Contact our office for help scheduling.

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Get Answers About Your Pelvic Pain

A thorough evaluation is the first step toward lasting relief. Schedule a consultation at our Katy office.

410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Katy, TX 77494