Pelvic pain is an alarm that there are underlying issues, and one should seek medical advice immediately. People with pelvic pain often complain that they feel cramping and heaviness around the lumbar region. One should see a Midtown West pelvic pain doctor when they feel severe pain or if they experience nausea and vomiting and loss of consciousness.
Causes of Pelvic Pain
The pelvic region of the body extends from the area above the thighs to the belly button, which houses vital body organs such as the womb, kidneys bowel, and bladder and may more. It is, therefore, necessary to know the cause of the pain and find ways of treating it.
Some of these organs could be severely injured and sickly, causing pain. Women tend to experience period pain which is less severe but is the pain is severe it could be an indication of other conditions such as endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which cells similar to those of the uterus grow in other nearby body organs in women. The cells then undergo regular menstrual changes, and the blood formed during menstruation has no escape, thus forming scarring, pain, and inflammation.
Pelvic pain could be caused by a condition known as (IBS) irritable bowel syndrome, whose cause has not been established by the medical community. It is thought that the condition arises from uneven muscle contraction in the bowel and sensitivity of the bowel tissues o specific food triggers.
The condition can ease after one passes wind or stool, but serious conditions may cause blood spots on the stool, which is an alarm to see a doctor.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the main cause of pelvic pain in both men and women. The pain is often felt when a person is passing urine; although UTIs are common if left untreated, it causes severe damage to other body organs such as the kidneys.
STDs and UTIs could cause severe pelvic disorder and cause other issues such as infertility in women and men.
Diagnosis of Pelvic Pain
Your doctor will help you eliminate the possible cause of pelvic pain and narrow down to the possible cause as a lot of factors could cause the pain. Your doctor will then conduct a pelvic exam that shows signs of infections, abnormal growth, or tenderness in the pelvic area. Sometimes the exam can be done physically or with an x-ray machine.
For infections, the doctor will have to conduct urine analysis and blood work to determine if you have UTIs or STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. A blood cell count check is also essential for this test, which helps to narrow down the diagnosis to a possible cause.
Treatment Options
Pelvic treatment options include pain relievers, which can be obtained by a doctor’s prescription or over the counter such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Pelvic treatment can also involve hormonal medications that control ovulation and menstruation.
Antibiotics are administered to patients with infections such as UTIs. Other treatments involve antidepressants that are helpful in chronic pain management. Additional therapies effective for pelvic pain management include exercise, spinal cord stimulation, and psychotherapy.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises like Kegels can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and reduce pain and discomfort. Kegel exercises can also benefit those who have from urinary leakage and pelvic organ prolapse and improve sexual intimacy between you and your partner.
For women who have vaginismus or vaginal atrophy or who experience pain during sex, vaginal dilation therapy, along with Kegel exercises with the aid of vaginal dilators or vaginal trainers, is a viable treatment option. Consult your health-care provider or a pelvic physiotherapist to be properly guided on the right exercises and treatment to manage pelvic pain or pelvic floor issues.