Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or more. This pain may come and go or may be constant. Sometimes it follows a regular cycle such as occurring during your period or before or after eating, during sex or while urinating.
What are the causes of chronic pelvic pain?
Several conditions can cause chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes the pain may occur with no apparent reason. Some of the causes of pelvic chronic pain include the following :
- endometriosis
- irritable bowel syndrome
- fibroids
- chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
- interstitial cystitis
- tension in the pelvic floor muscles
- psychological factors such as depression and stress
What are the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain ?
This pain has many characteristics and includes :
- severe and steady pain
- pain that comes and go
- pressure deep into your pelvis
- sharp pain or cramping
You may also experience the following ;
- pain during intercourse
- pain when you sit for a long period of time
- pain during bowel movement or while urinating
This discomfort may occur when you stand for long periods of time. It gets better when you sit. This pain may be mild or severe. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.
How is chronic pelvic pain diagnosed ?
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history. He will then do a physical exam including pelvic exam. This is done to help find the cause of the pain. You may also be referred to other specialist depending on your situation.
You may have to imaging tests such as
How is chronic pelvic pain treated ?
Treatment includes several pain relief measures such as medication, physical therapy, nutritional therapy and surgery.
Pain relief drugs : These include non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs NSAIDs
Lifestyle changes :Regular exercises and good posture may help relieve this pain
Nutritional therapy : Vitamin B1 and magnesium may be used to relieve dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation )
Surgery : If your pain is not responding to other treatments, surgery can be used to relieve pain. This involves cutting or destroying nerves blocks pain signals from reaching tissues and organs.
Content Sources
Chronic pelvic pain in women. Mayo Foundation. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain/basics/definition/con-20030924. Accessed March 23, 2016
Relief from chronic pelvic pain. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/women/features/relief-from-chronic-pelvic-pain.htm Accessed March 23, 2016