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Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is any pain in your pelvic region lasting six months or longer. The cause of pelvis discomfort may be an underlying disease or disorder or it may exist without any underlying reason. If a reason is found for the pain, the cause is treated, while treatment for chronic pelvic pain of undetermined origin focuses on relieving symptoms.

  1. Symptoms

    • Chronic pelvic pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating. It may be constant or intermittent, dull or stabbing, or it may consist of a feeling of pressure in your pelvic region. You may also experience pain when going to the bathroom, pain during intercourse, or pain when sitting down or after standing for long periods.

    Causes

    • Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of disorders. Endometriosis, pelvic congestion syndrome and fibroids are all common gynecological sources. Problems with the pelvic floor muscles, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome may also cause chronic pelvic pain. Psychological factors such as depression and stress may cause or worsen any type of chronic pain.

    Diagnosis

    • Your doctor will run a series of tests meant to uncover or rule out any of the common causes of chronic pelvic pain. These tests may include a pelvic exam, cultures to see if a foreign pathogen is causing infection, laparoscopy to visualize the area internally, and imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound. Depending on the results, your doctor will then choose the best method of treatment.

    Treatments

    • If the cause of your chronic pelvic pain is an infection, treatment may consist of a course of antibiotics. Antidepressants and counseling may help if the cause is psychological, while muscular problems may benefit from physical therapy. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are often used in conjunction with other methods of treatment. Operations to treat endometriosis or other physical causes are generally performed via laparoscopic surgery.

    Managing at Home

    • It is important to manage your stress and seek out emotional support when you experience chronic pain of any origin. Other alternative therapies you might be able to try at home include biofeedback and relaxation techniques.

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