Pelvic Pain Specialist

What might be causing my pelvic pain?

Your pelvic region (the lower half of your abdomen) contains your urinary and reproductive systems, parts of your gastrointestinal tract, and various bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Unsurprisingly, then, pelvic pain has many potential causes, including:

• Appendicitis
• Urinary tract infections
• Pinched spinal nerves
• Hernias
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Kidney infections or stones
• Ulcerative colitis
• Fractures and dislocations
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Cancer
• Neuropathy (nerve pain)

Women could also experience pelvic pain from menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis.

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

Diagnosing pelvic pain begins with a review of your symptoms and medical history. Your provider at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management then performs a physical exam to look for signs of any abnormalities.

The next step is to have one or more diagnostic tests. These could include:

• Blood and urine tests
• STD tests
• Pelvic X-rays
• Diagnostic laparoscopy
• Hysteroscopy
• Stool sample
• Colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Ultrasound scan
• Pelvic CT scan
• MRI

The specific tests you require depend on what the initial exam indicates might be causing your pelvic pain.

How is pelvic pain treated?

With so many possible causes, the treatment you need for your pelvic pain could vary greatly. Some treatments are pretty straightforward; for example, if you have a bacterial infection in your bowel, urinary tract, or reproductive system, a course of antibiotics should resolve the problem. 

Other kinds of treatments for pelvic pain include:

Medication

You might need pain relief medication, regardless of the cause of your pelvic pain. For instance, in some cases, if you have cancer, pain medication continues to play a vital role alongside other therapies. 

You might also benefit from different types of medication, such as anti-seizure medicines for neuropathic pain or stool softeners for constipation.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help with musculoskeletal conditions like pelvic floor disorders. Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, and your therapist can design a personalized physical therapy program that addresses your specific problems.

Surgery

If your pelvic pain is due to a condition like appendicitis, you need prompt surgery. An operation might also be necessary for other causes of pelvic pain, including cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ulcerative colitis.

For causes of chronic pelvic pain like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management can help with treatments like celiac plexus nerve block injections. 

They also implant neuromodulation (spinal cord or peripheral nerve stimulation) and intrathecal pain pump devices for the most severe, incurable pelvic pain.

To find out more about how Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management can help with your pelvic pain, call the office or book an appointment online today.