Pelvic pain may occur occasionally or frequently and last for long periods. Pain in your lower abdomen will prevent you from enjoying everyday activities. If you are experiencing pelvic pain in South Charleston, it is essential to visit your specialist at Patel & Patel MD for a diagnosis to establish the cause of your pain.
What causes pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is a sharp sensation in the area below your navel. Your pelvic area consists of your bladder, uterus, and ovaries. Both men and women can experience pelvic pain. Some of the causes include:
- Hernia
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection
- Broken pelvic bones
- Pinched nerves
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Psychogenic pain
Causes of pelvic pain in women only are:
- Ovulation
- Fibroids
- Menstrual cramps
- Pregnancy
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Cancer of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries
- Endometriosis
- Miscarriage
- Ovarian cysts
Be sure to visit your doctor if your pelvic pain comes along with signs and symptoms such as:
- Bloating
- Traces of blood in your stool
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fever
- Pain in your hip area
- Constipation or loose stool
- Pain during sexual intercourse
At Patel & Patel MD., Inc., your doctor will interview you to figure out the cause of your pelvic pain. You will provide information about your personal medical history and family history. Your specialist may recommend several tests that include:
Lab tests
Your doctor may require you to get checked for diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Your specialist will use your blood sample to examine your blood cell count and urinalysis to check for urinary tract infection.
Pelvic examination
Your specialist will physically check for any abnormal growths and tense pelvic muscles. Let your doctor know if you experience pain during the examination.
Imaging tests. Your doctor will use computerized tomography scans or magnetic resonance imaging and abdominal X-rays to look for growths and abnormal structures.
Ultrasound. Your doctor will use this to detect ovarian cysts and masses in the uterus and the fallopian tube.
Laparoscopy
This procedure is used to detect endometriosis and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Your doctor will make an incision in your abdomen and insert a laparoscope to view your pelvic organs to check for abnormal tissues.
After the diagnosis, your doctor will administer treatment for your pain based on the results. The different types of medication include:
- Hormone treatments. Your doctor will suggest the use of birth control pills to relieve pelvic pain.
- Pain killers. Your specialist may prescribe a pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen to alleviate your pain.
- Antidepressants. If you have chronic pain, your doctor will suggest you use antidepressants such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline.
As part of your treatment, your doctor may recommend therapies such as:
- Physical therapy involves massage and stretching exercises that reduce your chronic pelvic pain.
- Neuro-stimulation device where your specialist will implant a device that blocks your nerve pathways, preventing pain from reaching your brain
- Trigger point injection. Your doctor will inject a medicine that causes numbing in specific points that cause pain.
Your doctor may need you to try different treatment approaches before you establish what works best for you.
Pelvic pain can be stressful to manage. Make an appointment with Patel & Patel MD., Inc. to get liberation from pelvic pain.