It is possible for pelvic pain to occur in both women and men, and it can develop as a result of infection, problems with the pelvic bones, or your internal organs. In women, the pain could arise as a result of problems with the reproductive organs. Physiotherapy treatment may help to alleviate pain in the pelvic area. Today we are going to look at what the cause of pelvic pain could be and possible treatment options.
What Is The Cause Of Pelvic Pain?
Some of the potential causes of pelvic pain in men and women include
- Bladder disorders, such as urinary tract infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Appendicitis
- Disorders of the intestine
- Kidney stones or kidney infection
- Pelvis disorder
- Hernia
- Nerve conditions
- Prostatitis
- A broken or fractured pelvis
- Testicular disorders
What Could Be The Cause Of Pelvic Pain In Women?
In women, pain in the pelvis may be a sign of a problem with the reproductive system. Some of the possible causes include
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ovulation
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Miscarriage
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Cervical cancer
- Uterine cancer
In women, pelvic pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as
- Worsening menstrual cramps
- Difficult or painful menstruation
- Bleeding, discharge or bleeding from the vagina
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Gas and abdominal bloating
- Blood in a bowel movement
- Chills or a fever
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain in the groin or hip area
Diagnosing The Causes Of Pain In The Pelvis
A visit to your general practitioner is your first course of action when you have persistent pelvic pain. He or she will ask you some questions and review your medical history. Based on your feedback, some tests may be arranged:
- Urine or blood tests
- Pregnancy test if you are a female of reproductive age
- Cultures to check for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases
- X-rays of your abdomen or pelvis
- Bone density screening
- MRI
- A laparoscopy to look at your pelvis internally
- Hysteroscopy to look at your uterus
- Ultrasound to examine your internal organs
- CT scan to get a closer look at your pelvis and abdomen
Treatment For Pelvic Pain
The treatments for pain in the pelvic area will be determined based on the outcomes of the tests you have. Some of the treatment options include
Medications
If necessary, medication like antibiotics may be prescribed if the pain is related to an infection.
Surgical intervention
In the event that the source of your pain stems from a problem with your internal organs, a surgical procedure may be required.
Physical therapy
Physical therapyIf the source of the pain stems from a structural problem with your pelvic structure, physiotherapy treatment may be recommended to alleviate the pain.
You may want to try some home remedies to give you pain relief:
- Applying heat to the area
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication
- Doing light exercise
- Relaxation and stretching practices like yoga and meditation
- Adding more fibre to your diet
- Quitting smoking.
For more insight into what the cause of pelvic pain could be for you, or to find out more about physiotherapy therapy treatment, please contact us for an appointment: (02) 9358 5221.
References
Pelvic Pain
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/12106-pelvic-pain
Pelvic Pain
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pelvic-pain