Pelvic Pain In Women

Pelvic pain has been a common complaint amongst women over the centuries but there is an alarming rise in the number of women affected by it because of leading unhealthy lifestyles, pollution, etc. Although it is difficult to zero in on any one cause, research has proven that smoking and excess alcohol tends to increase pelvic pain. The pain can be occasional, periodic or continuous and can last between few minutes to six months. Constantly experiencing pain makes some women irritable, moody or outright violent. This pain mostly increases during menstrual cycles, excretion or while engaging in sexual intercourse. Of course this has a consequential effect on their relationship and social life too, more often because of their irritable and short tempered behavior than an unperceptive partner. Constant pain can sometimes affect a person psychologically. In this case, some women may experience pain although it wouldn’t exist. This is also why doctors find it hard to diagnose when women complain of pelvic pain. Although this problem is severe, there are ways to decrease the pain such as taking a hot bath or applying warmth on that region. Consuming painkillers must be the last resort as this neither provides long term treatment, nor cures the cause for this problem.

Causes, Symptoms and Cures For Pelvic Pain in Women

Causes

• Vulvodynia– This causes stinging and burning pain in the vulva or external female genitals. The pain maybe periodic or constant and the location of the pain may keep changing.
• Endometriosis– Pelvic pain can also be caused when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Such pain is worst during menstrual period or sexual intercourse. It can also cause abnormal bleeding and infertility.
• Pelvic joint instability – Pain caused by damage to ligamentsat the pelvic joint also causes pelvic pain. This usually occurs after childbirth.
• Uterine fibroids – These are non-cancerous growth of fibroids inside the walls of the uterus. This causes sharp pain or even cramps when the pelvis is strained.
• Inflammation or infection – This includes inflammation or infection of not only reproductive organs but also pain caused by the appendix, bowel or bladder.
• Ovarian Cysts– This is caused during ovulation. When the body tries to release the egg, instead of releasing, the egg gets stuck and fills up with a liquid. This can cause unbearable pain.
• Normalcauses – Almost all women would have suffered slight pelvic pain at some point in their life. Such pelvis pain occurs during ovulation, pregnancy or if you get period cramps.

 Symptoms

• Rectal or genital pain, pain near the tail bone or pain anywhere below the navel and above the genitals.
• Discomfort while sitting or post bowels.
• Frequent and uncontrollable urination often accompanied by a burning feeling.
• Reduced libido. Pain during and after sex.
• Depression, irritability or anxiety caused by pain.

Cures

Although there’s no surety that any of the following cures would remove pelvic pain permanently, they are often tried when the pain becomes unbearable or when there’sno other option.

• Surgery– There are two types of surgeries that are usually recommended for pelvic pain. One of them is laparoscopy and the other is hysterectomy. Laparoscopy is performed in outpatient basis while hysterectomy requires hospitalization for longer periods. Hysterectomy isn’t always the best option because it is comparatively more dangerous.
• Relaxants – Such remedies will not cure the pain but there useful to decrease pain. They include heat therapy, muscle relaxants, analgesics, etc.

Although pelvic pain is common in women, one must consult a doctor if the pain persists for long. This is the only way to determine whether the pain is caused by normal reasons or an underlying disorder.