Chronic pelvic pain refers to any pain in the pelvic region that lasts longer than six months. The pelvic area is generally defined as the area below your belly button and between your hips.
Finding out what is causing the pain may prove to be quite difficult. In fact, many women who experience chronic pelvic pain never receive a specific diagnosis. Possible causes include endometriosis, adenomyosis, urinary tract infection (UTI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and pelvic support problems. If your doctor cannot determine the source of your chronic pelvic pain, then treatment will focus on managing the pain.
Symptoms include:
- Severe and steady pain
- Sharp pains or cramping
- Pain that comes and goes
- Dull aching
- Pressure deep within your pelvis
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain while having a bowel movement or urinating
- Pain when you sit for long periods of time
Treatment
Your doctor may recommend over the counter pain killers to help alleviate the pain. If the cause of the pain is determined, then treatment of the root cause will also be treated. If pain killers and the help of your GP cannot further help your pelvic pain, it may be time to consult a Pain Clinic to help run more advanced diagnostic tests to help determine the cause of your pain and help you manage the pain more effectively.