If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, you should know that there could be many reasons for it. You could have one or multiple conditions that are causing your pain. It can be a challenge for doctors to identify why their patients have pelvic pain because different conditions produce similar symptoms. The most common symptom in patients who have a pelvic condition is pain that lasts for more than six months. Our doctor will need to evaluate the different symptoms that you have and by process of elimination help you determine the cause of your pelvic pain.
Common Reasons for Pelvic Pain
One of the reasons for this type of pain is urinary tract infections. In the vast majority of cases, a urinary tract infection is caused by some form of bacteria. The bacteria might be found in the kidneys or the bladder. It is more common for women to have urinary tract infections than men. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection include pain in the lower pelvis, pain when you urinate, urinating frequently, or cloudy, bloodied, or foul-smelling urine.
A second condition that causes pelvic pain is pelvic inflammatory disease. This is a condition in which the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes become infected. More often than not, this happens in connection with a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. In addition to pain in the pelvis, you may experience a frequent need to urinate, painful urination, painful ovulation, lower back pain, nausea and fatigue.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is like varicose veins, except that it happens in the veins of your pelvis. As the blood backs up in these veins, they become enlarged, causing pain in the pelvis. The pain is worse when you stand. You might have pain in your lower back as well as your legs.
Some experience pain for psychological reasons. Psychological pain does not mean that the pain is not real. It just means that the physical cause of the pain cannot be identified. Some people are battling with emotional challenges that exhibit themselves as pain. Women who have dealt with sexual abuse or assault frequently experience chronic pelvic pain afterward. This pain is linked to things like depression, anxiety, and stress.
Pelvic injuries are another common source of pelvic pain. Pelvic fractures vary in their intensity. Some are relatively minor injuries, and others can be life-threatening in nature. The reason why pelvic injuries can be life-threatening is because there are many vital structures and major blood vessels and nerves along with parts of the digestive and reproductive system that are protected or travel around the pelvis. Severe pelvic injuries can lead to catastrophic blood loss and may require urgent hospital care. Less severe pelvic injuries may require more conservative treatments.
Receive Expert Care for Your Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain should not be taken lightly. If you experience pain, talk to our physician at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine. We will work with you and identify the source of your pain while providing you with the proper treatment plan. Contact our office in Fort Worth to schedule your consultation and get started on a customized treatment plan for your needs.