DENVER -- It is a pain that many people will never tell you they have. And, if not treated it can lead to a life of suffering and countless doctor and therapist visits.

Simply put, chronic pelvic pain is a pain between the navel and the knees that won't go away.

And, according to urologist Nel Gerig, this pain is often misdiagnosed.

"The symptoms can be somewhat vague and standardized test results usually show that everything looks normal," said Dr. Gerig. But, the obvious number of patients in the Denver Urology Clinic point to something different.

"It can affect 10-25 percent of the adult population," said Gerig.

Many suffer silently because the location of pain can cause embarrassment.

"This is typically an area that we don't talk about. I think that's one of the reasons it has taken so long to develop knowledge about these various pain disorders," said Gerig.

Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a wide variety of medical conditions from sports injuries to sexual pain disorders.

"They may have a bladder disorder, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, back pain, scoliosis or back trauma. It is usually a combination of these conditions that cause the pain," said Gerig.

Pain sufferers in Denver are now joining together to break the silence and share their personal experiences.

Once a month, about 20 men and women gather for a Denver Pelvic Pain support group meeting. They discuss newly discovered treatments and share names of local doctors and therapists.

And most of all , they freely talk about their lives and hopes of finding a way to lessen the pain.

"You have to be willing to talk to people and ask questions and try different things," said support group participant, Toni Bonacci.

"I would describe it as someone having a blowtorch and putting it into your thigh, right into your muscles where you just felt that kind of heat," said Bonacci.

For years, Bonacci has been living with chronic pelvic pain.

Difficult childbirths and multiple surgeries along with a complex variety of medical conditions are to blame.

"I have vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus and back problems. I've had a hysterectomy, my gallbladder removed and back surgery. You have to look at the entire list to try and treat the symptoms," said Bonacci.

Recently, she's found relief. Her doctors and therapists have identified specific pain relief techniques that work for her.

"For now, I feel better. I'm not in as much pain," said Bonacci.

Lori Buxton is a physical therapist at Integrated Physical Therapy of Littleton and has been working with Bonacci for the past year. "I work internally with pelvic floor muscles. It can be painful but very helpful. In Toni's case it is working," said Buxton.

Buxton encourages patients to explore a variety of treatment options from muscle manipulation to dry needling techniques.

She also emphasizes the need to be your own advocate, communicate with your doctors and realize you are not alone.

"I think thousands of people in Colorado have chronic pelvic pain. There are so few people who understand how this pain happens and don't think its just you. There is help available," said Buxton.

Members of Denver's Pelvic Pain Support Group will encourage you to join them.

"It has been a Godsend," said Bonacci.

For more information visit Denver Pelvic Pain Support Group.

Or visit National Vulvodynia Association.