Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is located between the navel and the hips and groin. If it lasts for six months or more it is called chronic pelvic pain. It is often difficult to determine the source of the pain. Pelvic pain can be caused by problems related to:

Female reproductive organs
Intestines
Nerves
Bladder
Prostate

Pelvic Pain2 — Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions.

Gynecological conditions
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Fibroids
- Pain when ovulating
- Menstrual pain
- Adenomyosis
- Cysts
- Pelvic congestion syndrome

Gastrointestinal conditions

Urinary conditions, such as bladder infection or urinary tract infection

Psychological conditions, such as depression, or a history of physical or sexual abuse

Neuromuscular conditions
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Muscle pain
- Nerve pain
- Lower back pain
- Joint and bone pain
- Muscle strain

Having one of the conditions listed above increases your chance of having chronic pelvic pain. Other factors may include:

Miscarriage
Cesarean section
Alcohol or drug abuse
Heavy menstrual flow

Symptoms may include:

Constant pain or dull ache in pelvic area
Burning, shooting pain
Rectal urgency
Pain that comes and goes
Pain that ranges from mild to severe
Pain with certain activities
Pain with prolonged sitting

You will be asked about symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be asked to keep a pain journal to help the doctor diagnose the pain. You will be asked to write down when the pain occurs, how it feels, and how long it lasts. Bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with:

Blood and urine tests
Cultures and swabs
Tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Bodily structures may need to be viewed. This can be done with:

Laparoscopy
Cystoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Intravenous pyelography
X-rays
MRI scan
CT scan

The source of pelvic pain can be from many different causes. Depending on the findings of the physician and results of the physical therapy evaluation, your therapist can design a program that helps restore strength, range of motion, muscle control and awareness. These interventions along with other modalities, like biofeedback and manual therapy, will help reduce pain and restore function.

Preventing chronic pelvic pain depends on the condition causing it. Some causes are not preventable. STDs cause many conditions that result in chronic pelvic pain. Use latex condoms every time you have sexual intercourse, and minimize the number of sex partners you have.

This content was created using EBSCO's Health Library

RESOURCES:

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

http://www.acog.org

The International Pelvic Pain Society

http://www.pelvicpain.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

http://www.sogc.org

REFERENCES:

Chronic pelvic pain. American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain.html Updated April 2014. Accessed June 18, 2014.
Chronic pelvic pain. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq099.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130611T1540053024 Published August 2011. Accessed June 18, 2014.
Chronic pelvic pain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed Updated April 23, 2014. Accessed June 18, 2014.
Chronic pelvic pain. The International Pelvic Pain Society website. Available at: http://www.pelvicpain.org/docs/patients/Patient-Education-Brochure.aspx Accessed June 18, 2014.
Levy BS. The complex nature of chronic pelvic pain. J Fam Pract. 2007 Mar;56(3 Suppl Diagnosis):S16-17.
Reiter RC. Evidence-based management of chronic pelvic pain. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1998;41(2):422-435.

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This content was created using EBSCO's Health Library

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

REFERENCES:

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