CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN
Condition
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that occurs below your bellybutton and between your hips that lasts for six months or longer. It may be constant or may come and go. It is important to distinguish it from acute pelvic pain, which may only be present for hours or days, because the causes of the two conditions are usually different.
Chronic pain can be sharp or dull, mild or severe enough to interfere with your life. If it is bad enough to seek help, it is important to tell your doctor:
- where exactly the pain is located
- when the pain occurs (such as after sex, during urination or while having a bowel movement)
- if the pain is related to your menstrual period
- anything that appears related to the onset of the pain, such as stress
Causes
Chronic pelvic pain can be a symptom of a disorder or a disorder itself. Some known causes of chronic pelvic pain include:
- dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual period)
- pelvic adhesions (scar tissue from infection or previous surgery)
- ovulation that causes pain every month
- endometriosis (menstrual tissue misplaced throughout the pelvis)
- cancer (usually when there is pain, the cancer has been there a long time)
- pelvic congestive syndrome (the pelvic veins are engorged with blood)
- fibroid tumor (a tumor that is not cancer) of the uterus
- bladder problems such as an infection or spasm
- intestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or colitis
- cervical stenosis (the opening of the cervix is too narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow easily through it during menstruation
- adenomyosis (a kind of endometriosis within the muscle tissue of the uterus)
- past or present physical or sexual abuse
- muscle spasms in the pelvic muscles
- psychological factors, such as depression, that have been known to contribute to chronic pelvic pain
Trying to find the cause of pelvic pain can take a long time, involve a lot of tests and still, more than half the time, results in no definite answers. In such cases, you will be treated for the pain itself.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN
Call 911 Right Now (you may need an ambulance) If
- You are being physically or sexually abused.
- You have pelvic pain and pass out.
Call Your Doctor Right Away (day or night) If
- You have pelvic pain with a fever 100 degrees F or higher.
- You have abnormal bleeding (bleeding not related to your period) with the pain.
- You have pain when urinating and fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
- You have pain with uncontrolled diarrhea and fever 100 degrees F or higher.
- You still have pain four hours after taking nonprescription pain medication .
Call Your Doctor During Regular Office Hours If
- You want an appointment to find out why you are having pelvic pain.
- You need prescription medication for your pelvic pain.
- You want to know about other kinds of treatment for your pelvic pain. These may include:
- birth control pills
- hormone treatment
- antidepressants
- nerve-blocking injections
- the implantation of a sacral nerve stimulator, which acts as a bladder pacemaker
- acupuncture, which seems to help painful periods in some cases
- surgery, when necessary to address conditions, such as endometriosis or fibroids, that are causing your pelvic pain
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN
- Try nonprescription pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or aspirin.
- Lie down in a quite room to relax and remove yourself from demands and distractions that may make your pain worse.
- Try applying ice packs or warm compresses to your lower abdomen to see if either helps relieve your pain.
- Physical therapy that works to relax or stretch pelvic muscles may be helpful.
- Relaxation exercises such as yoga may be helpful if tension is causing or contributing to your pain.
- Wherever and whenever possible, try to avoid stressful situations that may trigger your pain.
- Psychological counseling or group therapy may be helpful in dealing with depression.
For More Information Click on the Links Below
- Familydoctor.org Chronic Pelvic Pain
- MayoClinic.com Chronic Pelvic Pain
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Practice Bulletin, Number 51, March 2004.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Patient Education Pamphlet, revised 1996.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Guidelines for Women's Health Care, 1996.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new healthcare information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional