What Defines Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain describes different types of pain that occur in your pelvic region. It can originate from muscles, connective tissues, or organs in your urinary, digestive, or reproductive systems.

Your pain may be severe, a dull ache, or a sensation that feels more like pressure. Pelvic pain may appear suddenly and then disappear, or become an ongoing, persistent pain.

Pelvic pain is a complex problem that should be evaluated by your doctor at Hill Country OB/GYN when the pain persists or becomes severe.

What Gynecological Conditions Cause Pelvic Pain?

Many gynecological conditions can cause pelvic pain. You may even have more than one condition at the same time. These are some of the most common sources of pelvic pain:

Endometriosis: Endometriosis occurs when tissues that normally line the inside of your uterus begin to grow outside the uterus. These patches of tissue may appear on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer uterine surface, or other organs in your pelvis. These tissues respond to your monthly hormone cycles, just as they would inside your uterus. As a result, they break down each month and bleed into your abdomen, causing scarring and pain.

• Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterine wall. If they grow large enough, they cause pressure, pain, and heavy bleeding.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is an infection in your reproductive organs that causes inflammation and pain.

• Ovarian Cysts: Ovarian cysts can cause pressure and pain. In severe cases, the cysts may rupture, leading to sudden and severe pain that needs immediate medical attention.

• Interstitial Cystitis: Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, causes pelvic pain along with a frequent need to urinate.

How is Pelvic Pain Treated?

Your doctor may need to perform an ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures to determine the underlying cause of your pelvic pain. Your treatment plan is then customized to deal with the source of your pelvic pain.

There isn’t only one treatment for pelvic pain. You may need medication to relieve pain, antibiotics to treat an infection or hormone-based medications. Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive surgery to treat fibroids, cysts, or endometriosis.

You can count on individualized attention and the highest standard of care from your doctor at Hill Country OB/GYN. To schedule an appointment to find a solution for your pelvic pain, call one of our offices today.