Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain has many potential causes, including an issue with your reproductive organs, which are located near the pelvis. Where and when pelvic pain occurs can help providers narrow down the cause and determine what specific part of your body is affected.
Common causes of pelvic pain in women include:
- Ovarian Cysts or Polyps
- Uterine Fibroids/Tumors
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Menstrual Cramps
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- External/Internal/Atrophy/Postmenopausal/Dryness
Pelvic pain can take several forms, including pain that comes and goes, sharp pains, cramping, and pressure. In the pelvis. Pelvic pain that lasts more than six months is considered chronic, while pain that is sudden and intense is considered acute.
If the pelvic pain is caused by an issue with your hip joints or the pelvis itself, our providers can refer you to a doctor who specializes in those areas or treat you.
How is Pelvic Pain Diagnosed?
You and your provider will work together to determine the cause of your pelvic pain. This will include a review of your medical history so we can explore possible causes related to a prior health condition or medical procedure. It’s important to let your provider know if you experience pain during sex, urination, bowel movements, or when you sit or stand for a long time.
Your provider will likely recommend a pelvic exam. This exam allows your provider to check for growths in your pelvis, such as ovarian cysts or spots tender to the touch. We will do our best to keep you comfortable throughout the exam.
Lab tests, using blood or urine, can help identify potential pelvic pain causes, such as an STI. Blood and urine tests are also ways to confirm a pregnancy.
If your provider wants more information, they may recommend imaging such as a pelvic ultrasound to help identify unusual growths or other etiology of the pain trauma in the body.
Pelvic Pain Treatments
Depending on the cause of your pelvic pain, your provider may recommend one of the following treatments:
Medication
Pain medication, including over-the-counter medicines, can help reduce symptoms:
- Advil
- Motrin
- Ibuprofen
Hormonal medications and antibiotics can also treat and manage the underlying cause of the pelvic pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help strengthen and stretch pelvic and pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this can reduce pelvic pain and instability.
Surgery
If your pelvic pain is caused by conditions that develop ovarian cysts, polyps, or uterine fibroids, laparoscopic and/or hysteroscopic surgery can remove these growths and reduce your overall pain. A laparoscopy and/or hysteroscopic are minimally invasive surgeries that allow your provider to see inside your body and remove or treat growths with minimal scarring, blood loss, and recovery time.
Get Relief from Pelvic Pain with the Help of Your Provider
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, your provider at Florida Woman Care can help. Each of our providers offers high-quality care with compassion and dedication so you can get relief from pain. Contact us to request an appointment today.