Pelvic Pain

What causes pelvic pain?

Any organ in the pelvic and abdominal area can cause pain. In the pelvis, these include the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, vulva, bladder, pelvic floor muscles, rectum, and anus. Uterine causes could be endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, tumors, prolapse, infection and painful menstrual cycles. Ovarian causes could be cysts, tumors, or torsion of the ovary. Fallopian tube causes could be ectopic pregnancy, tumors, or cysts. Cervical causes could be infection or tumors. Vaginal causes could be infection, cysts, or vaginal dryness. Vulvar causes could be vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, infection, menopausal dryness, or tumors. Bladder causes could include voiding and emptying dysfunction, urinary tract infections, stones, tumors, interstitial cystitis, and painful bladder syndrome. Pelvic floor muscles could be spastic and tender from a variety of reasons, including some listed previously. Rectal causes include constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, crohns, and tumors. Anal causes could include fissures, hemorrhoids, and tumors. When considering abdominal causes, these could include the small and large intestines and the appendix. Though this list is not inclusive of all causes, it mentions the most common causes. Sometimes there are systemic (or bodily) causes. Pain is complex and requires a thorough history, a physical, testing, and imaging to formulate a treatment plan tailored to the patient.

What are the tests that could be performed?

• urine tests

• blood tests

• cystoscopy

• hysteroscopy

• ultrasound

• CAT scan

• MRI 

How is pelvic pain treated?

The treatment will depend on the cause of painful symptoms. Some options include:

• antibiotics

• hormone therapy

• physical therapy

• use of medication to relieve pain and reduce inflammation

• minimally-invasive procedures

When the underlying cause cannot be determined, treatment often revolves around symptom relief.