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Treatment Challenges

When should I get a second opinion for pelvic pain?

The short answer

A second opinion is worth seeking when pelvic pain persists despite treatment, keeps recurring after surgery, or disrupts your life despite normal findings. It’s also appropriate if your pain pattern changes, your concerns feel minimized, or you face a major decision such as surgery.

A second opinion is worth seeking when pelvic pain persists despite treatment, keeps recurring after prior surgery, or you’ve been told “everything looks normal” while your symptoms continue to disrupt your life. It’s also appropriate if your pain pattern is changing (spreading beyond periods, becoming daily, or involving bladder or bowel symptoms or pain with intercourse), or if you feel your concerns were minimized and the plan never addressed why the pain is happening.

We also recommend a second opinion when you’re being asked to make a major decision, such as whether surgery is necessary, what kind of surgery is planned, or whether symptoms could reflect complex or deeply infiltrating disease. In those situations, a record-based review can clarify what’s already been tried, what may have been missed (including conditions that mimic or worsen endometriosis), and what a realistic next step would look like.

If you’re at that crossroads, our team can review your history, imaging, and prior operative/pathology reports and help you understand your options with a clear, individualized rationale. You don’t need to gather everything perfectly to start: send what you have, and we’ll tell you what else would be most helpful and whether we believe we can add meaningful value.

Where to go from here

Understand it, compare it with what you're feeling, then talk it through with us.

Step 3 · Speak with Us

Still in Pain? Get a Second Opinion

Persistent or worsening pelvic pain deserves specialized attention. Our experts can help uncover the cause and find the right treatment for you.

Questions people ask next

All treatment challenges questions
  • When should I get a second opinion for endometriosis?

    A second opinion is worth pursuing when symptoms persist despite treatment, your pain is minimized, or you face a major decision without a clear plan. It’s also important if imaging is normal but symptoms track with your cycle, or surgery gave incomplete relief.

  • What if deep pelvic pain isn’t controlled by medication?

    If medication doesn’t control deep pelvic pain, the next step is usually a tailored plan that reassesses all pain drivers. This can include pelvic floor therapy and, if evaluation suggests persistent endometriosis is a primary driver, excision surgery.

  • Why do doctors recommend different treatments for the same symptoms?

    Doctors recommend different treatments because similar pelvic pain symptoms can have different underlying causes. Their training, available tools, and your goals, such as pain relief or fertility planning, can also shape their recommendations.

  • When is repeat excision surgery recommended?

    Repeat excision is typically considered when symptoms return or progress and there’s strong reason to believe endometriosis or adhesions are driving them, or when organ function is at risk. Pain after surgery doesn’t always mean disease has returned, so re-evaluation may be needed.

Reach Out

Have a question?

Lotus Endometriosis Institute provides California-based surgical evaluation and advanced excision care for patients with suspected endometriosis, adenomyosis, complex pelvic pain, and related conditions.

Many patients contact us from outside California to learn whether traveling for in-person evaluation and possible surgery may be appropriate.

Call Us

(424) 255-1340

(805) 920-0909

Fax: (805) 935-4338

Santa Monica, CA

2121 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Operating Hours

8am - 5pm
Monday - Friday

Arroyo Grande, CA

154 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420