Causes of Female Pelvic Pain
As the NHS notes: “Pelvic pain is felt in the lower part of our tummy. The type of pain varies – it could be sudden & severe (acute pelvic pain), or last 6 months or longer (chronic pelvic pain). If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is important not to self-diagnose” [1]. Book
an in-person or online appointment with a Pain Consultant or Vulva Specialist right away
So What Are the Symptoms of Female Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain, which is more common in women, can either affect a small region around the pelvis (the lower tummy), or the entire region. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, then it is important to get an accurate diagnosis with Pain Doctor.
• An unexpected sudden burning, stabbing, or sharp pain
• Pain which comes on slowly, but does not dissipate
• A feeling of pressure in the region
• A heavy or dull ache
• A knotted, twisted feeling
• A intermittent throbbing or cramping pain
• Pain when doing certain things such as: having sex, passing water, or exercising
And What Causes Pelvic Pain in Women?
“Chronic pelvic pain is a complex condition that can have multiple causes. Sometimes, a single disorder may be identified [by a Pain Specialist] as the cause. In other cases, however, the pain may be identified as the result of several medical conditions. For example, a woman might have endometriosis & interstitial cystitis, both of which contribute to chronic pelvic pain” [2]
There are many reasons behind pelvic pain, which is why it is so important not to self-diagnose.
The most common causes are:
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Constipation
• Period pain
• Conditions impacting female reproductive organs (for example: endometriosis, or an ovarian cyst)
• Pelvic pain in pregnancy
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• A condition which is impacting one of the organs in the pelvic region, such as the bladder or bowel
• An appendicitis
• Peritoniti
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome)
• An ectopic pregnancy
• Ovarian cancer
• Womb cancer [1, 2].
Getting to the Root of the Problem
When you have a consultation with a Vulva Doctor or Pain Specialist, they will review your medical history, ask you various pertinent questions, and then if necessary, conduct various exams and tests. After arriving at an accurate diagnosis, the Pain Consultant will compile a holistic Personalised Treatment Plan, which you can get started on right away.
References
[1]. NHS (2022). “Pelvic Pain.”
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-pain/
[2]. Mayo Clinic (2021). “Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women.”
HYPERLINK “https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20354368″https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-