Chronic Pelvic Pain
Pain in the pelvic region occurs between the navel and thighs. If it lasts for six months or more, it is called chronic pelvic pain. It is often difficult to understand what the source of pain is. Pelvic pain can cause problems with various organs:
- Female genital organs;
- Intestines;
- Nerves;
- Bladder;
- Prostate (in men);
- The retroperitoneal space (the space between the diaphragm and the pelvis).
If you have chronic pelvic pain, it is important to consult a doctor promptly.
Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Chronic pelvic pain can cause various diseases, including
- Gynecological diseases
- Endometriosis
- Inflammatory diseases of pelvic organs
- Myoma
- Pain when ovulating
- Pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
- Adenomyosis
- Cyst
- Ectopic pregnancy
Risk Factors for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Factors that increase the likelihood of chronic pelvic pain:
- Inflammation of the pelvic organs;
- The history of sexual violence;
- History of pelvic surgery;
- The history of radiation therapy in the pelvic region.
Symptoms of Chronic Pelvic Pain
There are many causes of chronic pelvic pain; its symptoms can be different. Tell the doctor if you have any of them.
- Constant pain;
- The pain that comes and goes;
- Blunt pain;
- Severity in the pelvic region;
- Pressure;
- Moderate pain;
- Strong pain;
- Pain in certain occupations;
- Sudden and intense urge to defecate.
Diagnosis of Chronic Pelvic Pain
The doctor will ask about the symptoms as we as the medical history, and will also perform a medical examination. You will be asked to write down when the pain arises, how it feels and how long it lasts.
Once the source of pain is identified, you can be referred to a specialist.
Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain
Treatment of chronic pelvic pain with the help of medications is based on the treatment of the cause that caused it:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – to treat pain and reduce inflammation;
- Opioid analgesics (morphine in the form of medicine) – used to reduce severe pain;
- Antibiotics – taking into account the current infection;
- Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat chronic pain;
- Anticonvulsants can be useful in certain situations (primarily when the pain is caused by damage to the nerves);
- Contraceptive pills – used to treat pain caused by certain gynecological diseases (in some cases, chronic pelvic pain).
