Pelvic Pain : Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Symptoms

Pelvic pain is the pain felt in the lower abdominal area, between the belly button and the hips, with its intensity and duration varying based on the underlying condition, and the patient’s age and health. Pelvic pain is categorized into two types, namely acute pelvic pain (sudden and severe) and chronic pelvic pain (lasting for months or longer). The pelvic pain symptoms are listed here in the form of the nature of the pain, as follows:

• Sharp, or sudden stabbing pain in the pelvic area that emits a burning sensation, especially in females
• Pain that gradually increases but does not subside or resolve
• A cramping or throbbing pain that comes and goes
• A pain that feels twisted or knotted (stuck)

Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain causes can be related to, or originate from, several conditions that affect the various organs and systems. Subsequently, the causes for pelvic pain can be further subcategorized into gynecological, gastrointestinal, urological, musculoskeletal, nervous, or psychological.

• Gynecological Causes: Uterine fibroids or polyps, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, menstrual cramps, ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), normal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriages.
• Gastrointestinal Causes: Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis), infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the colon (diverticulitis), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and gastroenteritis.
• Urological Causes: Bladder stones, Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Musculoskeletal Causes: Pelvic floor muscle spasm, pelvic bone pain and injuries, fibromyalgia, and inguinal hernia (groin hernia).

When to Seek a Specialist for Pelvic Pain?

When a person experiences sudden and intense pelvic pain that is:

• Persistent for more than two weeks
• Interfering with their daily activities
• If the pain is chronic (lasting for six months or more)
• If the pain doesn’t improve with previous pelvic pain treatment
• Pelvic during pregnancy in the last six months
• Showing any signs of shock
• Excessive bleeding from the vagina, urine, or stool
• High fever associated with nausea, vomiting, or chills
• Sudden, severe, sharp, or stabbing pain

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our Gynic Specialists today.

Diagnostic Approach for the Pelvic Pain

For diagnosis, it involves a detailed patient’s history to cover the pain’s characteristics, associated symptoms, a track of previous conditions and surgeries, and a complete psychosocial assessment, a comprehensive general physical exam, pelvic exam, and palpations. The pelvic pain specialists may also perform lab tests, such as infection screening, inflammatory markers, urinalysis, blood tests and other cultural tests to identify the causes. For deep investigations, the pelvic pain specialists may involve imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans, abdominal X-rays (KUB), and minimally invasive procedures like diagnostic laparoscopy.

Treatment for the Pelvic Pain

The treatment for pelvic pain depends on the frequency and intensity of the pain, as well as the cause behind it. There are several measure that stretches from the initial approach to complete surgical intervention for the treatment of pelvic pain, which include:

a). Pain Relief Medications:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen (NSAIDs)
• Prescribed stronger pain relievers and muscle relaxants
• Antibiotics for infections
• Antidepressants with analgesic properties

b). Hormonal Therapies:

• Support of oral contraception to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce pain present in conditions like endometriosis
• Hormonal IUDS to help manage hormonal fluctuations.

c). Physical Therapies and Rehabilitation:

• Determine muscle imbalances in the pelvic floor.
• Acupuncture, and contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor exercises
• Improves muscle coordination and reduces tension.
• A rehabilitation program that helps patients gain control over pelvic muscle contractions, as well as offers stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, warm baths, and meditation.

d). Interventional Surgical Procedures:

• Nerve block surgeries
• Sacral nerve neuromodulation
• Trigger point injection

What if the Pelvic Pain is Left Untreated?

Untreated pelvic pain can lead to potentially serious complications, such as:

• Debilitating chronic pelvic pain.
• Difficulty conceiving, and/or ectopic pregnancy due to pelvic inflammatory disease-related scarring on the reproductive organs.
• Life-threatening, abscess-forming systemic infection.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Permanent damage to the other reproductive organs.

These complications could further lead to serious conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, inflammation of the bladder with no infection, pelvic congestion syndrome, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
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