Most Common Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain may be caused by a variety of things. If you’re having pelvic pain, you want to get to the root of the problem to gain relief. Pain in the pelvic area has numerous causes, so it’s important to see a specialist to diagnose the problem.
If you’re located in the Princeton, West Virginia, area, you’ll want to seek out Dr. Brandon M. Lingenfelter if you start feeling pelvic pain. This will help you avoid complications down the line that may force you to go to the emergency room (think appendicitis). Untreated infections and diseases can result in serious health complications.
Dr. Lingenfelter can give you more clarity about the root cause of your pelvic pain, but the following are some common causes of chronic pelvic pain.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis can be a very painful condition. It afflicts between 10-20% of women in America who are of childbearing age. Cells that cover the inner lining of the uterus begin to grow outside of it and attach themselves to organs like the ovaries, bladder, or rectum.
Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common cause of pain in your pelvic area. Once you’ve had one UTI, you can spot the symptoms early. You’ll normally experience burning when you urinate, the urge to urinate frequently, and a full feeling in your bladder.
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra, so any of these can be infected by bacteria. It’s important to take a shower after physical and sexual activity so you don’t give bacteria a chance to grow. If you do get an infection, you’ll need antibiotics to treat a UTI.
Interstitial cystitis
Cystitis can feel much like a UTI. You have the urge to urinate often, sex is painful, and you may have pain when you urinate. Interstitial cystitis isn’t an infection; it’s actually caused by inflammation in your bladder. Bubble baths and spermicides can cause interstitial cystitis symptoms in some women.
Medication that is orally ingested or goes directly into your bladder may help ease the symptoms.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection in your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. PID usually results from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Sexual contact causes the bacteria to travel through the vagina and fallopian tubes.
Without treatment, the disease can scar your organs, causing severe pain. Untreated PID can cause infertility. Sometimes PID presents no symptoms, so that’s why STD testing is very important for sexually active women.
Uterine fibroids
A fibroid is a benign tumor that can grow on the inside or outside of the uterus. Some women who have fibroids never have symptoms, but many fibroids can cause pain, heavy bleeding, urinary conditions, and constipation. Some can make it difficult to get pregnant or carry your pregnancy to term.
Pelvic support problems
After being pregnant and giving birth, your pelvic muscles and ligaments that hold your bladder, uterus, and rectum in place may have been stretched to the point that they become loose. Your organs then slip out of place; for example, your bladder may move down toward your vagina. You may literally feel like you could expel something from your vagina, may have pain with intercourse, and have difficulty holding your urine.
After reviewing your medical history, talking with you about your symptoms, and giving you a thorough exam, Dr. Lingenfelter determines which tests are appropriate for diagnosing your pelvic pain. Each cause of pelvic pain requires its own specific course of treatment, which he’ll go over with you.
Don’t wait and let your pelvic pain turn into a medical emergency – call our office today or request an appointment online with Dr. Lingenfelter for all of your obstetric and gynecological needs.