Common causes of pelvic pain
Pelvic pain haunts women of all ages. Situated between the belly button and pelvic bone, this pain may be due to gastrointestinal reasons, or because of gynecological issues. Issues of the urinary system also contribute towards this condition.
It is important for the patient to be cognizant of the type of the pain they are experiencing; whether its chronic or acute. Some women get pain during a specific time in their menstrual cycle. The intensity of the pain is also different in different condition.
In order to establish the reason for the pain, doctors perform physical tests like pelvic exam alongside laboratory tests like blood sampling, culture of the cervical cells, imaging tests of the region.
With the aid of history and reports, your Gynecologist in Lahore can let you know for sure the cause behind the pain. However, some common conditions behind pelvic pain include:
Endometriosis
This painful condition occurs when the uterine tissue grows outside of the womb, rather than inside. Every month, this tissue also gets sloughed off during the menstrual cycle. However, since the tissue and blood as no exit though the vagina, it stays in the body, causing pain, formation of scar tissue and fibroids.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include cramps during periods, painful sex and even bowel movements, rectal bleeding, spotting when not on periods and pain during urination.
Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory disease
This condition occurs due to bacterial infection in the womb, fallopian tubes or the ovaries. It generally results from after a STD like chlamydia. PID also results in vaginal discharge and bleeding alongside pelvic pain.
PID is a serious condition that results in infertility as well. If immediate care is not given, scarring of the tissue can also occur.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are lumps of fibrous tissue, that may be innocuous otherwise, but are a source of great pain for many women. Fibroids also cause a lot pain during sex as well. Whereas they lead to minor inconvenience in some, others get debilitating pain due to these fibroids. Either they are then treated using medicine, or surgery.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Also accompanied with cramps, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, IBS is not specific to women. It needs to be overlooked by an internal medicine or GI specialist. Generally, diet and medicine are able to fix it.
Musculoskeletal problems
Some problems of the joints or the muscles also result in pelvic pain. Common issues include fibromyalgia, pelvic floor tension, pubic symphysis etc.
Painful bladder syndrome
PBS is also known as interstitial cystitis. In it, pain occurs due to the inflammation in the bladder. Unlike UTIs, this pain is not on the account of any infection. Other than pelvic pain, this condition causes pain during intercourse as well.
Women also have the urge and need to urinate more frequently, and also have pain when they urinate.
Painful ovulation and periods
Some women experience pain in the middle of their cycle. Known as mittelschmerz or painful ovulation, it occurs as the body releases the egg.
Similarly, some women have pelvic pain due to their periods. When the uterine wall gets broken down, and the subsequent muscular movement occur, pain in the abdominal region ensues. Some painkillers and heating pad can help against the cramps if the pain gets really bad.
Peritonitis
This condition refers to the inflammation of the abdominal tissue. The resultant pain is extreme, that then requires urgent medical care.
Psychological Factors
Some women experience pelvic pain due to psychological factors like history of abuse, stress and depression.
STDs
Some sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea also cause pelvic pain. Other symptoms of these include vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding and hematuria –presence of blood in urine.
Treatment for these include medication. In order to not spread the infection to others, it is also important to refrain from sex during this time.
Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are more common amongst women who are sexually active but can happen to anyone. In this condition, bacteria get entry into the renal system, leading to pelvic pain, frequent urination, discomfort during urination. Moreover, it may also lead to blood in the urine as well.
UTIs generally require antibiotics for treatment. Prevention of UTIs lies in being careful about feminine hygiene, drinking plenty of water, peeing before and after having sex. Cranberry juice is also helpful.
Ovarian cysts
This condition occurs when the follicle does not open to release the egg once ovulation occurs, or after releasing the egg, it swells and closes again with fluid. Sometimes these are harmless and go on their own accord, but not before causing pain, bloating, swelling in the region.
However, cysts can also burst in some cases, leading to intense pain that needs emergency care. These can be discovered during an abdominal ultrasound. Cysts can also be diagnosed by gynecologist in Islamabad during pelvic exam.
