What is pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is common in women and can have a variety of causes. Some of the possibilities include inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and endometriosis.
Pelvic pain is common in women and can have a variety of causes. The pain may originate from your genitals or be caused by problems in your surrounding organs. Sometimes pelvic pain can also be related to psychological issues.
The pain can be acute and happen suddenly or it can be chronic and last for months. Sometimes pelvic pain can go away before the specific cause is diagnosed. If you experience severe pain that lasts, you may need to consult your gynecologist.
Variations in pain level range from sharp to dull aches. It’s also possible that your abdomen is sensitive to the touch. In some cases, pelvic pain in a woman may be accompanied by abnormal vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge.
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Diagnosing pelvic pain in a woman
Your doctor can diagnose the root cause of your pelvic pain if it becomes overwhelming.
They will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also order blood work and urine tests. To determine the exact location of your pelvic pain, the doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A cystoscopy might be requested to get footage inside.
Treatments for pelvic pain
Most mild cases of pelvic pain do not require medical attention as they may come and go. You may take medications like pain relievers or muscle relaxants.
If your pain is caused by issues in your reproductive system like endometriosis or menstruation, your doctor may prescribe hormone treatment. Hormone treatment includes birth control pills, progestin-releasing intrauterine devices, or other methods.
Chronic pelvic pain that appears to have no root cause may be treated by “talk therapy.” You will be able to discuss the root of your feelings and find where you are holding pain related to mental health issues.