Chronic pelvic pain & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the area below the navel and between the hips. It is called chronic pain because it can last for six months or more.

There are many types of pain that vary from woman to woman. In some women, pain is pain that comes and goes. However, in some cases, the pain is constant and severe, causing problems sleeping, working, or enjoying life.

Chronic pelvic pain can have several causes. This pain can be a condition in itself, but it is also difficult to diagnose because of the symptoms of other diseases.

If your chronic pelvic pain is caused by another medical problem, treating the problem may be enough to make your pain go away.

Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, it is not possible to identify with certainty a single cause of chronic pelvic pain. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to reduce pain and other symptoms and improve quality of life.

How common is chronic pelvic pain?

This health condition is very common. This usually affects more women than men. This can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic pelvic pain?

Common symptoms of chronic pelvic pain are:

• vaginal discharge with an unusual color, texture, or odor
• abdominal or pelvic pain in a specific or wider area
• pain during sex
• irregular or missed periods
• menstrual cramps that are worse than usual
• have to urinate frequently
• pain when urinating
• pain when ovulating
• it hurts if you press on a certain area in the pelvis
• lower back pain
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always better to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain is a complex disease that can have several causes. Sometimes, a single disorder can be diagnosed as the cause.

However, on the contrary, pain can come from several medical conditions. For example, a woman can have both endometriosis and interstitial cystitis in chronic pelvic pain.

Some of the causes of chronic pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis. This is a condition in which tissue from the inner lining of the uterine wall (uterus) grows outside the uterus. This unwanted tissue responds to the menstrual cycle, just as the uterine wall does: it thickens, sheds and bleeds each month as hormone levels rise and fall. Because this process occurs outside the uterus, blood and tissue cannot leave the body through the vagina. Instead, this blood and tissue is deposited in the stomach, where it can cause painful cysts and binding of wound tissue fibers (adhesions).
• Tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Spasms or tension in the pelvic floor muscles can cause recurrent pelvic pain.
• Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. In long-term infections, infections can occur and are often sexually transmitted. This can cause injury that covers the pelvic organs.
• The rest of the ovary. After surgical removal of the uterus, the ovaries and fallopian tubes (that is, a small part of the ovary) can accidentally stay inside and cause painful cysts.
• Fibroids. This benign growth of the uterus can cause pressure or a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. It rarely causes sharp pain unless it becomes deprived of blood supply and begins to die (degeneration).
• Irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, namely bloating, constipation or diarrhea can be the cause of pelvic pain and pressure.
• Interstitial cystitis. This condition is associated with recurrent bladder pain and the need to urinate frequently. You can experience pelvic pain as your bladder fills, which may temporarily subside after you empty your bladder.
• Pelvic congestion syndrome. Some doctors believe that enlarged varicose veins around the uterus and ovaries can cause pelvic pain. However, other doctors are less sure if pelvic congestion syndrome is the cause of stage pain because most women with enlarged blood vessels in the pelvis don't experience the associated pain.
• Psychological factors. Depression, chronic stress or sexual or physical abuse can increase your risk of chronic pelvic pain. Emotional stress makes pain worse and living with chronic pain contributes to emotional distress. These two factors often become a vicious cycle.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for chronic pelvic pain?

There are many risk factors for chronic pelvic pain, such as:

• a history of pelvic inflammatory disease
• a history of physical or sexual abuse — about half of women with chronic female pelvic pain report past acts of violence
• a history of radiation treatment or abdominal or pelvic surgery — this includes surgery for urinary incontinence
• history of depression — pain and depression appear to be linked
• abuse of alcohol or drugs
• abnormalities in the structure of the female organs
• pregnancy and births that put pressure on the back and pelvis, such as the birth of a large baby, difficult births, or births with pliers or vacuum tools

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is chronic pelvic pain diagnosed?

• Pelvic exam. This can show signs of infection, abnormal growths or tense pelvic floor muscles.
• Lab test. In a pelvic exam, your doctor may order a lab to check for infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Your doctor may also order blood tests to check your blood cell count and urinalysis to check for urinary tract infections.
• Ultrasound. This test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of body structures. This diagnosis is useful for detecting lumps or cysts in the ovaries, uterus or fallopian tubes.
• Other imaging tests. An X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen may be recommended by a doctor to help identify abnormal structures or growths.
• Laparoscopy. In this surgical procedure, the doctor will make a small incision in the abdomen and insert a thin tube with a small camera into it (a laparoscope). The laparoscope helps the doctor observe the pelvic organs and check for abnormal tissue or signs of infection. This procedure is particularly helpful in detecting endometriosis and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.

What are the treatments for chronic pelvic pain?

• drugs
• other therapies, such as: physical therapy, neurostimulation (spinal cord stimulation), trigger point injections, psychotherapy
• operation
• pain rehabilitation program
• acupuncture

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat chronic pelvic pain?

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you deal with chronic pelvic pain:

• practicing safe sex
• get tested for sexually transmitted infections
• avoid showering water
• wiping from front to back after going to the toilet to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.