What is pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is characterized as pain that occurs in the lower abdomen both constantly and intermittently. It may be constant or come and go. If the pain is severe it can affect the patient’s daily activities. Pelvic pain in women may occur during the menstrual period or during sexual intercourse.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of pelvic pain are:
- Pain that is constant and mild in intensity. Or sharp and cramp-like.
- Continuous or intermittent pain.
- It is not felt in a specific point, but throughout the pelvic area.
- Disabling pain that may interfere with the patient’s routine activities.
Causes of pelvic pain or why it occurs
Pelvic pain can be a warning sign that there is a problem in the organs of the pelvic area, such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes or vagina. The cause of the pain is a health problem, among which the following stand out:
- Ovulation pain
- Primary dysmenorrhea
- IUD
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Endometriosis
- Cystitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Uterine fibroids
A woman can have more than one cause of pelvic pain at the same time.
What is the treatment?
To discover the cause of the patient’s pain, several clinical tests must be performed. The treatment of pelvic pain will depend on the results. Women may also suffer from an infection of the lining of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is caused by the bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea.
In general, treatment is usually pharmacological. In some cases, surgical treatment is necessary.