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Can chronic pelvic pain be cured?

General treatment options of chronic pelvic pain include medications to treat the pain, hormone therapy if the problem is menstrual, antibiotics to treat an infection, or antidepressants if the cause is depression or previous sexual assault.At CVM, we focus on treating chronic pelvic pain that arises from Pelvic ...

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Common Causes

What is Chronic Pelvic Pain?

Any pain in the area between your hips and the belly button is pelvic pain. It becomes chronic when it lasts for six months or more. Below explains the common causes of pelvic pain. The type of pain associated with chronic pelvic pain can vary from woman to woman. Some experience severe and constant pain, others describe intermittent bursts of pain, and still, others have a constant dull aching. The intensity of the pain varies and is often relieved sometimes improved by lying down. Some women may also experience pressure within the pelvis. Certain activities can sometimes increase the pain, including intercourse, using the toilet, or sitting for long periods.

Common Causes of Pelvic Pain

Several diseases can cause chronic pelvic pain, but it can also be a stand-alone condition. To treat your chronic pelvic pain, your doctor will first need to determine its cause. Sometimes, treating the disease causing the pain can be enough to eliminate the pain. However, even if your doctor cannot identify your pain’s direct cause, they can still attempt to reduce the pain and other symptoms through treatment. These are some of the more common causes of chronic pain in women. Chronic pelvic pain can be debilitating and affect the quality of patients’ daily lives. Women are disproportionately affected by chronic pelvic pain. Nearly 15% of women have reported chronic pelvic pain to their doctors. Unfortunately, doctors often dismiss pelvic pain for women. Although it might be hard to get a diagnosis, there are treatments available that can alleviate your pain and allow you to live a more comfortable life.

Gastrointestinal

Irritable bowel syndrome can also cause chronic pelvic pain. Its symptoms include bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, which can all cause discomfort and pain.

Urological

Interstitial Cystitis causes pain in the bladder and makes you need to pee urinate more frequently than usual. The pain may increase as you fill your bladder and decrease immediately after relieving yourself.

Gynecological

Endometriosis is a largely under-diagnosed condition that an estimated 10 - 20% of women suffer from Endometriosis causes the causes, the lining of the uterus it means that some tissue from your to grow outside the womb. It causes inflammation and bleeding within the pelvic cavity, leading to pelvic pain that is especially severe during menstruation. Chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases, often sexually transmitted, can cause scarring if left untreated. This scarring can cause chronic pelvic pain.

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Musculoskeletal

Fibromyalgia, pelvic floor muscle tension, pubic symphysis, and hernias can all cause chronic pelvic pain.

Psychological

Severe psychological stress can increase your risk of developing chronic pelvic pain. If you suffer from depression or chronic stress or were sexually or physically abused, you might experience pelvic pain. Unfortunately, chronic pain often increases emotional distress, creating a vicious cycle.

Pelvic Pain Caused by a Vascular Disorder

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) is a common but under-diagnosed cause of chronic pelvic pain. With PCS, pelvic pain is caused by varicose veins surrounding the uterus, a condition that occurs when vein valves stop functioning correctly. Blood pools in the pelvis and/or legs backs up and creates congestion, which can result in a variety of symptoms including pelvic pain, bloating, and heaviness, as well as leg symptoms like pain and swelling. Some patients may also have bulging veins of the legs or genitals.

Visit this page for information on Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

Doctors to Visit

When to See a Doctor?

If your pelvic pain interferes with your daily life activities, you should see a doctor. For women who are suffering from pelvic pain and have excruciating periods can be a sign of endometriosis; long-term pain after pregnancy can be from pelvic congestion syndrome. Pain during or after sexual intercourse can also be a warning sign. The team at CVM questions patients and identifies certain buzz words like "feeling heavy" in the groin region and will find the underlining cause of the pain. CVM also asks questions about pelvic pain during or after sex. It is best to make an appointment to determine the causes of your chronic pelvic pain after your gynecologist ruled out non-vascular causes of your discomfort. A vascular specialist can determine whether the pain is related to improper vein drainage in the pelvic region using an ultrasound device and then uses a venogram procedure when necessary to validate the findings.

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