Chronic pelvic pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain (Pelvic Pain, Chronic)

Description of chronic pelvic pain

Pain in the pelvic area occurs between the navel and the hips. If it lasts for six months or more, it is called chronic pelvic pain. It is often difficult to understand, that is the source of pain. Pelvic pain can cause problems with various organs:

• Female genital organs;
• Intestines;
• Nerves;
• Urinary bladder;
• Prostate (males);
• Retriperitoneum (the space between the diaphragm and pelvis).

If you have chronic pelvic pain, it is crucial to see a doctor.

Causes of chronic pelvic pain

Chronic pelvic pain can cause a variety of diseases, including:

• Gynecological Diseases:
  • Endometriosis;
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease;
  • Myoma;
  • Pain during ovulation;
  • Pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhoea);
  • Adenomyosis;
  • Cyst;
  • Ectopic pregnancy;
• Gastrointestinal Disorders:
  • Diverticulitis;
  • Irritable bowel syndrome;
  • Constipation;
  • Inflammatory bowel disease;
  • Cancer;
  • Yazvennыy colitis;
• Diseases of the urinary system:
  • Cystitis;
  • Urinary tract infections (IMP);
• Psychological disorders:
  • Depression;
  • Violence (physical or sexual).

Risk factors for chronic pelvic pain

Factors, которые повышают вероятность возникновения хронической тазовой боли:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease;
• The history of sexual abuse;
• The history of operations in the pelvic area;
• History of radiation therapy to the pelvis.

The symptoms of chronic pelvic pain

There are many causes of chronic pelvic pain, its symptoms may be different. Tell your doctor, if you have any of them.

• Constant pain;
• Pain, that comes and goes;
• Blunt pain;
• Heaviness in the pelvic area;
• Pressure;
• Mild pain;
• Strong pain;
• Pain in certain occupations;
• Sudden and intense urge to defecate.

Diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. You may be asked to keep a journal, to help your doctor diagnose the pain – You need to record, when the pain occurs, like there and how long it lasts.

Once the source of the pain is identified, you may be referred to a specialist.

Tests may include the following:

• Roentgen – test, which uses X-rays to take pictures of the structures in the pelvic region;
• MRT – test, that uses magnetic waves to take pictures for the. It used to find anomalies in the pelvis;
• CT – type of X-ray, which is used to generate computer images;
• Laparoscopy – в брюшную полость вставляется тонкая трубка с камерой и источноком света. It is used to search for infection or explore the internal organs;
• Cystoscopy – для обследования в мочевой пузырь вставляется тонкая трубка;
• Sigmoidoscopy – to examine the rectum inserted a thin tube;
• Ivp – type of X-ray with the x-ray dye. Used, to take pictures of the kidneys to search for injury or disease.

Treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Treatment options include the following:

Medications for chronic pelvic pain

Treatment of chronic pelvic pain with medication is based on treating the cause, caused it:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – for the treatment of pain and inflammation;
• Opioid Painkillers (morphine as the drug) – used for reducing severe pain;
• Antibiotics – taking into account the current infection;
• Antidepressants – It is sometimes used to treat chronic pain;
• Anticonvulsants – may be useful in certain situations (especially, when the pain is caused by damage to the nerves);
• Birth control pills – used to treat pain, caused by certain gynecological diseases (In some cases of chronic pelvic pain).

Additional treatments

For the treatment of pain in the pelvic area can be used the following methods:

• Relaksatsionnaya therapy;
• Acupuncture;
• Biofeedback;
• Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (BSEC);
• Massage.

Operational approaches for treating chronic pelvic pain

In some cases, it can be used surgical methods of treatment, including nerve block.

Counselling

Treatment of stress through counseling is helpful to many women with chronic pelvic pain.

Surgery

Because there are many causes of pelvic pain, the treatment may require surgery. It depends on the type of cause of the pain.

Prevention of chronic pelvic pain

Among the methods, helping to reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pelvic pain, you need to use methods to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases (eg, using condoms), as the symptoms of these diseases can be painful.