Our Austin OBGYNs talk about pelvic pain causes and treating pelvic pain
Women experience pelvic pain in different ways. The pain may exist in one small area of the pelvis or involve the entire abdominal area. Some women experience cramping or pain that becomes worse when they move or during urination, bowel movements or sexual intercourse. There are many pelvic pain causes. Thankfully, our Austin OBGYNs are experts at diagnosing and treating pelvic pain to help women feel better and improve their quality of life.
All about the different pelvic pain causes
Acute pelvic pain happens suddenly, and several events and conditions can cause acute pain.
- Ectopic pregnancy, also known as tubal pregnancy
- A ruptured fallopian tube
- Miscarriage
- Ruptured or twisted ovarian cyst
- UTI, or urinary tract infection
- Appendicitis
In the case of chronic pelvic pain, it lasts six months or longer. Women may feel the pain on and off or constantly. There are several pelvic pain causes that result in issues for women.
- Painful periods that cause severe cramping
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- PID, or pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Lower back problems
- Being overweight or obese
- Pregnancy
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Urinary tract issues like UTIs, kidney stones and interstitial cystitis
- Digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease
Depression and mental health issues can also contribute to chronic pain. Additionally, there is a link between chronic pelvic pain and a history of sexual or physical abuse.
Treating pelvic pain can help women feel better
The key to treating pelvic pain is an accurate diagnosis. When our physicians diagnose the problem, they tailor the treatment to the cause. Treatment may involve one or more approaches depending on the diagnosis.
- Lifestyle changes to help reduce pain
- Antibiotics for infection and inflammation
- Birth control options to help manage cramps and bleeding
- Gynecologic surgery to remove uterine fibroids, cysts or endometriosis
Sometimes, pelvic pain causes are difficult to diagnose. When this happens, our Austin OBGYNs can still help women find relief by prescribing medication and treatment to help manage the pain and symptoms. Contact us for an appointment to take the first step to feeling better.