Pelvic / Abdominal Pain
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Pelvic pain is any pain which occurs in the lower abdominal region. While women are most likely to suffer from pelvic pain, certain diseases and conditions can cause pelvic pain among men as well.
According to a Gallup poll, one in every seven women, between the ages of 18 and 50, suffer from chronic pelvic pain, which affects daily activities. Whether male or female, a person who suffers from chronic pelvic pain may have poorer general health, mood disturbances and depression. This is due to the restriction of daily activities and productivity, due to constant pain. Pelvic pain can be steady, it can come and go, or it can be a sharp, stabbing pain in one specific spot, or a dull ache which is more diffuse.
Causes and Symptoms of Pelvic Pain
There are many different causes of pelvic pain, including the following:
- Appendicitis (usually lower, right-sided pelvic pain, along with nausea and fever)
- Bladder problems
- Irritable bowel syndrome (usually accompanied by bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea)
- Ovulation (very short-term, occurring just prior to and during ovulation)
- Premenstrual syndrome (several days prior to menstruation)
- Ectopic pregnancy (sharp pain, usually on one side of the body, and sometimes accompanied by vaginal bleeding, nausea and dizziness—a medical emergency)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (sometimes a complication of an STD)
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Urinary tract infection
- Kidney stones
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Scar tissue (from an operation, such as a C-section)
Symptoms of pelvic pain depend on the cause of the pain, but can include:
- Cramping pain before or during your period
- Bowel movements which are painful
- Pain during or after sex
- Ovulation pain
- Urination pain
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Lower back pain
- Bloating in the abdominal area
Diagnosing Pelvic Pain
It can take time and effort for your healthcare provider to determine the cause of your pelvic pain. In fact, most of those who suffer from chronic pelvic pain do not know the cause. To diagnose the cause of your pelvic pain, your doctor will:
- Make a detailed list of your symptoms
- Determine when each symptom began
- Determine whether anything you have tried has helped the pain
- Ask whether the pain is better or worse at different times
- Review any recent injuries, illnesses or surgical procedures
- Determine whether the pain is related to sexual activity or your menstrual cycle
Perform a variety of tests, including:
- Blood tests
- STD tests
- Urine test to test for infection
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- CT scan or MRI
Treating Pelvic Pain
At Seattle Pain, we understand that chronic pelvic pain can be debilitating, taking you away from your normal everyday life. Our goal is to get you back on track, with a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan. The Seattle Pain interventional pain management specialists, may use one or more of the following traditional and non-traditional treatments for your pelvic pain:
- Pain medications and anti-inflammatories, both OTC and prescription
- Stretching exercises
- Relaxation techniques
- Neuropathic medications
- Nerve blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
Has your pelvic pain become unmanageable?
Contact Our Pain Management Specialists
When your pelvic pain is so severe that it causes you to miss out on life, we can help. Seattle Pain can help relieve your pain, and significantly improve your quality of life. We believe in treating the whole patient – and not just the injury. You do not have to live in pain.
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