The reason for the development of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) can be cyclic or noncyclic, variable or constant.
Several different conditions can lead to the development of the chronic pelvic pain.
The source of the pain is classified into various categories: Gynecologic, Gastrointestinal, Urologic, Musculoskeletal, and Psychosocial.
Conditions Responsible For The Development Of Chronic Pelvic Pain:
Gynecologic Conditions
Endometriosis, adenomyosis, adnexal lesions (ectopic pregnancy, ruptured corpus luteum cyst, a uterine rupture or ovarian masses), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), primary dysmenorrhea, fibroids, pelvic neoplasm, pelvic adhesions and pelvic congestion syndrome are the conditions responsible for chronic pelvic pain.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
The lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections can lead to the development of chronic pelvic pain. This is because the visceral innervation of both pelvic region organs and lower GI tract is same.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is primarily responsible for the development of chronic pelvic pain. Depression and anxiety are more common in patients who acquire IBS-related chronic pelvic pain.
Inflammatory bowel syndrome (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), chronic appendicitis, peptic ulcers, hernias, and gastroenteritis are some gastrointestinal conditions that result in the development of chronic pelvic pain.
Urologic Condition
Urinary tract infection is the most primary urologic source of chronic pelvic pain development. According to recent researches, interstitial cystitis is also a main source for the development of chronic pelvic pain. Kidney stones, urinary tract infection and urethral syndrome are other urologic conditions that lead to the development of chronic pelvic pain.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
The mechanical stress of leg-length discrepancy, a musculoskeletal condition with muscle tone enlargement on muscles, ligaments, and joint capsules can result in the development of chronic pelvic pain. Furthermore, the chronic pelvic pain can develop from diseases of the hip, spine, or other muscles.
Psychosocial Conditions
The sources of chronic pelvic pain can also involve psychosomatic conditions having certain bodily functions and sensations. Moreover, temporary/permanent pressures can also result in manifestations of pelvic pain. Lifestyle is also one of the primary sources of chronic pelvic pain.
Determining the source of the chronic pelvic pain helps the doctor to diagnose and treat the condition successfully.
How To Evaluate And Manage Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Owing to huge number of sources for the development of chronic pelvic pain, numerous tests are needed to evaluate the condition. Physical examination is most essential, particularly the abdomen and pelvis, to evaluate the source of chronic pelvic pain.
The need for laboratory tests depends on the outcome of the physical examination. A laboratory test initially involves a blood test, urine test, test for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, and a pregnancy test.
Ultrasound imaging, intravenous pyelography (IVP), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), barium enema and laparoscopy are also recommended to evaluate the severity of the pain.
The chronic pelvic pain treatment is possible only by determining the underlying cause of the condition. However, the pelvic pain can be managed through NSAIDs. No matter what the cause is, the physician provides suitable NSAIDs for symptomatic relief.
Applying heat to the abdomen, regulating bowel movements, and certain exercises also works effectively in providing symptomatic relief.
As the source of the chronic pelvic pain is must for an appropriate treatment, evaluate the source accurately to minimize the effects of the pain!
This article minimizes the severe pain that can result from chronic pelvic pain.
“No matter what the cause is, the physician provides suitable NSAIDs for symptomatic relief. Applying heat to the abdomen, regulating bowel movements, and certain exercises also works effectively in providing symptomatic relief.”
As a female who has been dealing with chronic pelvic pain for over two years, I can assure you that the above treatments are effective in very few cases. Very few.
In many women, the pain is so intense that it renders them you incapable of moving. That are stuck in bed all day long. CPP include low back pain, heavy feeling in pelvis, radiating pain, bladder pain, stomach pain, vaginal pain, rectal/anal pain, constipation, diarrhea, coccyx pain, pubic pain, bloating, and/or cramping, irregular menstrual cycles, pain with menstruation, and dyspareunia. It can feel like you have hundreds of little charlie horses in your pelvis. Imagine that for a moment. And sometimes the pain continues even after organs are removed, as in a hysterectomy. Sort of a phantom limb pain but the pain continues as if the offending organ (like a cystic ovary) is still there.
And as the pain continues and/or increases, women become so desperate for relief, they start exhibiting pain behavior and pseudo drug seeking. There are women out there taking their lives due to the unrelenting pain of chronic pelvic pain. Taking their lives. How can anyone ignore the pleas of the pelvic pain patient. If you read through the forums all over the net, the desperation is heart-wrenching and sickening.
Although there is good information in this article, the flippant way it describes treatment can only contribute to the undertreatment of pelvic pain in women.
Pelvic pain can involve so many factors that there should be a team involved in every patient’s treatment. The team should include a primary care physician, an ob/gyn who specializes in pelvic pain, a physical therapist, a urologist, a psychologist or psychiatrist and a gastroenterologist. It usually takes a combination of therapies decided by the team, to battle the nightmare of chronic pelvic pain.
Ibuprofen…….I am amazed. As I have said to my doctor, that is like throwing a cup of water on a forest fire.
Lilianna
Having bleeding since 1 & half months, on continious basis, severe pain in stomach and pelvic areas, pls suggest