Women's Health Texas – Austin

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Learn more about chronic pelvic pain during Pelvic Pain Awareness Month

Helping women learn about the causes and symptoms of chronic pelvic pain is one of the main goals of Pelvic Pain Awareness Month in May. The International Pelvic Pain Society, or IPPS, established this awareness month in 2017 to bring attention to a serious problem that many women suffer from but are hesitant to discuss. This May, we are bringing pelvic pain into the open. Our Austin OBGYNs encourage women to tell us when they experience any type of pain in their pelvis, abdomen, lower back or buttocks.

Pelvic Pain Awareness Month is the perfect time to discuss chronic pelvic pain symptoms

Sometimes women experience acute pelvic pain, or pain that comes on suddenly and severely. However, during Pelvic Pain Awareness Month, the primary focus is on chronic pelvic pain. This is constant or intermittent pain that lasts six months or longer. Our Austin OBGYNs have discovered that each woman’s pain experience is different. However, there are some common symptoms.

  • Sharp, shooting pain
  • Dull, widespread pain
  • Pain that radiates to the buttocks, thighs or lower back
  • Pain that occurs during sex, urination or heavy lifting
  • Pain in the external genitals, or vulva, known as vulvodynia

This chronic pain also can cause related problems, including anxiety, depression, sleep issues and relationship difficulties. These issues make it even more important to diagnose the cause of the pain and develop a treatment plan.

Many different problems can cause pain in the pelvic and lower abdominal areas

Many problems cause chronic pain, including reproductive, digestive and urinary issues. Sometimes, the pain may originate in pelvic floor ligaments and muscles. Here are just a few of the causes highlighted during Pelvic Pain Awareness Month.

  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Vulvodynia

Other causes include ovarian or colon cancer, appendicitis, kidney stones, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Our Austin OBGYNs can help diagnose and treat pelvic pain

Pelvic pain is often difficult to diagnose, but our skilled physicians have the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat chronic pelvic pain. Contact us for an appointment today.