What is pelvic pain?
The pelvis is a bony structure that starts just beneath your belly button and ends at the very top of your thighs. Its primary function is to support the upper body and protect the organs your body uses for digestion and reproduction.
The pelvic area is a versatile region that houses the bladder, small intestine, large intestine, uterus, ovaries, and the rest of your reproductive organs. Any damage to the pelvis itself or the organs it protects can lead to either widespread or localized pelvic pain.
What does pelvic pain feel like?
Pelvic pain affects everyone differently and is especially common in women during their childbearing years. It can feel like:
- Menstrual cramps
- Sharp, stabbing pain
- Pressure
- Pain that comes and goes
- Low back pain
- A dull ache
- Heaviness
Many people with pelvic pain experience worsening symptoms after sitting for long periods of time, when urinating or having a bowel movement, or during intercourse.
Understanding your symptoms can help your pain management specialists identify the cause of your pelvic pain for the most targeted treatment.
What causes pelvic pain?
Some of the most common causes of pelvic pain include:
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus starts growing outside the uterus, leading to pain, inflammation, constipation, irregular menstruation, and even infertility.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
CPPS, or chronic prostatitis, is long-term pelvic pain in the lower urinary tract. Constipation, kidney stones, and an enlarged spleen can all lead to CPPS.
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are small growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. They’re noncancerous but can cause pelvic pain and irregular menstruation.
Postpartum pelvic pain
Pregnancy puts serious stress on the pelvis. While it’s normal to feel short-term pain after giving birth, long-term symptoms are a sign of uterine, bladder, or rectal prolapse.
Central sensitization
Central sensitization happens when chronic pain pushes your nervous system into overdrive, causing your nerves to fire at an increased rate.
Levator ani syndrome
The levator ani muscles help hold up the bladder and prostate in men and the uterus and vagina in women. When these muscles spasm, they can cause pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.
Other common pelvic pain causes include pelvic floor muscle hypertonia, pudendal neuralgia, and persistent genital arousal disorder.
What are the treatments for pelvic pain?
Physical therapy and restorative yoga can significantly improve your condition if you suffer from chronic pelvic pain. These therapies can strengthen your muscles to help with bladder control, pain, and more.
If you experience frequent muscle spasms, trigger point injections help reduce inflammation to relieve pain. When integrated into a physical therapy plan, trigger point injections can also help expedite your recovery.
Enhance Center also offers peripheral nerve hydrodissection to relieve nerve pain. This minimally invasive treatment involves injecting your irritated nerves with a nerve block to relieve pain and minimize inflammation.
Pelvic pain is a serious condition that impacts your quality of life. To learn more, call Enhance Center to book an appointment today.
