Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Severe or Long-Lasting Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is a common condition for many women. Some men are also affected, although it is much less common among men. It can be caused by several factors, so you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing it..

Some pelvic pain is a normal part of the menstrual cycle for many women, but it should be a temporary pain. If your pelvic pain is more severe or lasts longer, you should definitely seek a doctor’s advice. Dr. Edward J. Ramirez of The Fertility & Gynecology Center – Monterey Bay IVF in Monterey Bay, California., explains more about the causes of pelvic pain.

Is pelvic pain linked to infertility?

Pelvic pain is a common factor and one of the things that’s part of a basic infertility workup. If you are having difficulty conceiving a child, you will get a full evaluation of your symptoms. 

Pelvic pain may sometimes have causes that can have an impact on your fertility. Some of these causes may be pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, or fibroids. Your reproductive system needs to be in optimal working order for you to conceive.

The causes of pelvic pain

Pelvic pain can have many causes. Some of these causes may include:

• Appendicitis
• Adenomyosis
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Miscarriage
• Vulvodynia (a condition that causes vaginal pain, especially during sex)
• Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)

Other causes may include ovarian or uterine cancer, although this is not common.

Other causes of pelvic pain

Men and women can experience pelvic pain from other causes as well. Some of the other causes may include the following:

• Colon cancer
• Constipation or irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Inguinal hernia
• Interstitial cystitis (a painful bladder condition)
• Intestinal obstruction
• Kidney stones
• A history of sexual or physical abuse
• Spasms of the pelvic floor
• Prostatitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Urinary tract infection

Other causes may also include nerve disorders or even broken pelvis bones. Sometimes, even hairline cracks in your pelvic bones can cause a great deal of pain.

Other symptoms of concern

Pelvic pain is not always a problem. Other signs that may indicate that your pelvic pain points to something serious can include the following:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Menstrual pain
• Painful urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Bleeding when you have a bowel movement
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Bloating or gas
• Fever or chills
• Hip pain
• Pain in your groin area

If your pelvic pain has had a sudden onset and you have any of the above symptoms, you may require more urgent medical treatment.

Tests to diagnose your pelvic pain

You will get more tests if you have pelvic pain. Some of the tests you may have done can include:

• Blood and urine tests
• A pregnancy test, if applicable
• Vaginal or penile cultures to check for sexually transmitted infections
• Abdominal and pelvic X-rays
• A laparoscopy (a surgical procedure in which the doctor looks at the structures of your pelvis and abdomen)
• A hysteroscopy (a procedure to examine your uterus)
• Stool sample to check for blood in your bowel movements
• Lower endoscopy (a procedure that uses a lighted tube to examine your rectum)
• Ultrasound to look at your pelvic organs
• CT scan that uses X-rays to examine your pelvic organs

These tests are minimally invasive, even if they involve some form of surgery. Such surgeries are usually done on an outpatient basis, and you can usually go home the same or the next day. Recovery is also usually pretty minimal, although you may be sore.

How pelvic pain is treated

How your pelvic pain is treated will depend on the cause. You may be given a prescription for antibiotics if your pelvic pain is caused by an infection.

You can also get physical therapy. Surgery can also help in certain cases.

You can also do self-care activities at home that may help. These include taking over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve®.) You should stop smoking if you have this habit, as smoking can worsen pelvic pain.

You can also apply heat, such as a heating pad, to help relieve the pain.

If you have pelvic pain, you should make an appointment with Dr. Edward J. Ramirez at the Fertility & Gynecology Center – Monterey Bay IVF. Contact our office today or request an appointment online.