Overview
Pelvic pain can significantly affect your daily life and could indicate that there might be an underlying health issue causing the pain.
It can be caused by conditions such as endometriosis, pregnancy, period cramps, or urinary tract infections. But it might also point to a problem with reproductive organs, muscles, or joints.
Depending on the severity of the pain and the root cause, treatments can include medication, physical therapy, and in rare cases, surgery.
What is Pelvic Pain?
Pelvis pain can be alarming, triggering worries of something sinister going on.
It is located in the lower stomach, between the belly button and the groin, and anyone can experience it. It can stem from a variety of causes, such as medical conditions, infections, or musculoskeletal issues, and the level of pain ranges from sharp and sudden to dull and persistent.
Once you understand the nature of your pelvic pain, it will help you and your doctor find the cause and the right treatment.
What Are The Symptoms Related to Pelvic Pain?
Your pelvic pain might be accompanied by other symptoms that may help identify its cause. Typical accompanying symptoms are:
- Lower tummy discomfort or pressure
- Pain during intercourse
- Menstrual pain that is more severe than usual
- Painful urination or bowel movements
- Lower back pain
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of factors and may only need a simple fix to ease it. Potential causes, starting from most common to rare, include:
- Menstrual Cramps: Period cramps happen because your uterus contracts during menstruation. These cramps can range from dull aches to debilitating pain and usually happen right before or at the beginning of your period.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the ligaments and joints in the pelvic area may loosen and stretch to accommodate your baby, which, understandably, causes discomfort. But it’s important to note that 1-2 in every 100 pregnancies are ectopic, so check with your obstetrician if you’re concerned.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, which can cause severe pain, heavy periods, and sometimes fertility issues.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Infections in any part of the urinary system can cause sharp-to-dull pelvic pain and discomfort.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A gastrointestinal disorder that leads to abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel habits.
- Ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs on the ovary that can cause pain if they rupture or become twisted and tend to heighten pain during ovulation.
- Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in or on the uterus that can lead to pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Problems with the muscles, joints, or bones in the pelvic area, such as pelvic girdle pain.
If you feel like one of the listed possible causes above (or something else entirely) is to blame for your pelvic pain, reach out to your doctor for advice.
Diagnosing Pelvic Pain
Diagnosing pelvic pain involves an in-depth approach to determine its cause and appropriate treatment.
Initially, your doctor will take a detailed medical history, asking about your symptoms, menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and any past medical conditions. This is typically followed by a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, to check for signs of infection, abnormal growths, or tenderness.
Blood tests can be offered privately to help identify infections, inflammation, or other underlying conditions. You may also be asked for urine tests to check for urinary tract infections or other urinary causes.
Sometimes, ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to visualise the pelvic organs and identify any abnormalities.
In some cases, a laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, allows the doctor to look inside the pelvis with a camera to identify conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
But don’t be alarmed. Your doctor will guide you through treatment plans and work with you to find the best one.
Pelvic Pain Treatment
Your doctor might treat your pelvic pain in several ways, depending on its location, causes, and severity.
Medication
Medications are often the first line of treatment for pelvic pain. Pain medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, can help manage discomfort. If the cause of your pain is an infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed. And if it’s because of reproductive issues like endometriosis or fibroids, hormonal treatments might be used to help reduce pain and control symptoms.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be beneficial for addressing musculoskeletal issues causing pelvic pain. Therapists use exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles, improve posture, and alleviate pain. Techniques may include manual therapy, stretching, and exercises tailored to your specific condition.
Surgery
Minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy, can be used for diagnosis and treatment. This surgical method is preferred over open surgery because of the shorter recovery time and risks of complications. With laparoscopy, surgeons can more easily treat conditions like fibroids, ovarian cysts, and a hysterectomy (uterus removal).
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also play a crucial role in managing pelvic pain. Diet modifications, regular exercise, and stress management techniques can help improve your overall pelvic health and reduce pain. Simple changes like avoiding trigger foods, meditation, and maintaining a healthy weight can make a big difference.
It can be overwhelming to learn about what treatment you might need. But, working with your doctor, you’ll be able to find the best treatment plan.
Relieving Pelvic Pain at Home
Below are some at-home remedies you can try to ease mild pelvic pain and support overall pelvic health. But if your pain is persistent or worsens, it’s time to see your doctor.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps reduce pain from urinary tract infections and supports overall pelvic health.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) Medication: OTC pain medicines, like ibuprofen or naproxen, can soothe mild to moderate pelvic pain. However, don’t exceed recommended dosage instructions and talk with your doctor if your pain breaks through pain relief medication.
- Rest: Taking time to rest can reduce stress on the pelvic area and promote healing. Getting enough sleep and taking frequent breaks will help prevent overexertion. Consider following relaxation techniques, like meditation, to help ease built-up tension.
- Heat Therapy: Heat can relax muscles and ease pain. Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the lower stomach for about 15-20 minutes at a time, but don’t leave it on any longer to prevent heat burn.
- Gentle Exercise: Activities like walking or yoga improve blood circulation, which helps reduce pain. Pelvic floor exercises, like Kegels, can also be helpful.
- Dietary Adjustments: Include anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Avoid irritants like caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and spicy foods to prevent nerve irritation and worsening pain.
- Proper Hygiene: Keeping good hygiene can go a long way in helping to prevent infections, especially if your pelvis pain is caused by UTIs. Consider wearing breathable cotton underwear, regularly bathing, and practising safe sexual habits.
When To Get Help For Pelvic Pain
Many people will try to put off their doctor for as long as possible, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible:
- Pelvic pain that becomes severe, comes on suddenly, or is persistent
- Fever
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Pain during urination
- Difficulty walking
Pelvic pain, either sharp or dull, accompanied by these symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition which needs to be checked.
Why Go Private with Mid Ulster Clinic For Your Pelvic Pain Treatment?
The thought of dealing with pelvic pain and its potential treatments can be scary, but choosing to be seen privately means you’ll get the best possible care.
Going privately with us gives you:
- Quick Access to Care: Avoid long NHS waiting times with our convenient self-referral options, allowing for quicker intervention and relief.
- Expert Care for Pelvic Pain: Our specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating pelvic pain, so you’re guaranteed the highest standard of care.
- Advanced Diagnostic Tools: We use state-of-the-art equipment to accurately diagnose the cause of your pelvic pain, enabling precise and effective treatment plans.
- Personalised Treatment Plans: Our approach focuses on your specific needs, tailoring treatments that you and your doctor can work toward together.
By choosing Mid Ulster Clinic, you’ll get flexible, fast appointments and personalised care at every step of the way. Call us on 028 796 68380 or select the ‘Book An Appointment’ button.
- Medically Reviewed