Health Conditions:
Chronic Pelvic Pain
What is Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that occurs in your pelvic region below your belly button and between your hips. This condition is considered chronic when the pain last up to six months or longer. Chronic pelvic pain can be two things: a symptom of another cause, or the cause itself.
What causes Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Chronic pelvic pain may occur for a variety of reasons, or no apparent reason at all. Additionally, psychological factors may also play a role by exacerbating the condition. The emotional toll it takes on the person dealing with the pain may actually cause the pain to increase.
Other potential causes include:
ENDOMETRIOSIS
This is a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and causes pelvic pain.
FIBROIDS
These are benign tumors of muscular and fibrous tissues that usually grow in the wall of the uterus.
PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE TENSION
When the pelvic floor muscles become tense it can lead to pelvic pain.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
Bloating, constipation or diarrhea and other symptoms of IBS can bring about pelvic pain and discomfort.
CHRONIC PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE
This is a STI (sexually transmitted infection) of the female reproductive organs that occurs when bacteria spread from your vagina to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
If the person is severely distraught, the mind can increase the amount of pain felt, imagined or otherwise, due to the depression and emotional distress experienced. Add to this that stress weakens the body’s natural defenses and this can cause the pain to multiply.
OVARIAN REMNANT SYNDROME (ORS)
This disorder can occur when any ovarian tissue is left after surgery to remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes, and may cause chronic pelvic pain.
PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME
This medical condition in women is caused by varicose veins in the lower abdomen that can cause chronic pain.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Symptoms of chronic pelvic pain can include:
- Constant pain in part, or all, of the pelvic region
- Intermittent pain
- Dull aching pain
- Sharp pains
- Cramping
- Pressure within your pelvis
- Pain and/or discomfort during intercourse
- Pain and/or discomfort while having a bowel movement or urinating
Treating and Diagnosing Chronic Pelvic Pain
Due to the fact that some women never receive an official or specific diagnosis by a doctor explaining their pain, this doesn’t mean your pain isn’t real and treatable. If no cause can be found – and even if one is – treatment often focuses on managing the pain.
Physician Partners of America pain specialists are experienced in treating chronic pelvic pain in both women and men. At our pain clinic locations, you will find an expert with the experience you need.
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