SYMPTOMS

Pelvic Pain: Pinning Down the Cause

While many women might simply disregard pelvic pain as something they have to endure, such discomfort should hardly be dismissed. In fact, pelvic pain can actually be a symptom of a more serious medical condition; and consulting with a specialized gynecologist is often necessary in order to pinpoint the underlying cause. At Coyle Institute, Dr. Coyle and his staff offer patients their singular expertise in gynecology and urogynecology to provide them with options that will relieve them from such issues as pelvic pain. In order to diagnose and determine the specific causes of such a concern, they consult with their patients to evaluate their daily habits, explore their medical history, and discuss the ways that their particular pain may be presenting itself.

At Coyle Institute, our specialized medical evaluations often include:

  • Blood testing to establish such numbers as complete blood count and sedimentation rate, which often indicates inflammation, infection, or anemia.
  • Urine testing such as urine cultures and urinalysis, which provide proof of kidney stones or urinary tract infections.
  • Testing of the stools to search for blood, which are indicative of larger problems.
  • Pelvic examinations and digital rectal examinations to rule out the presence of abnormalities.
  • Screening for sexually transmitted diseases.

Pelvic Pain Can Often Be Directly Related To Chronic Conditions Or Infections

While some cases are simply a side effect of recent surgeries. Whatever the case may be, however, signs of pelvic pain should be monitored and discussed with a physician, as it may alert them to a medical concern that requires attention, such as:

  • Reproductive disorders including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis, all of which may complicate pregnancy or even lessen the likelihood of pregnancy.
  • Urinary tract or bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections (UTI), or chronic interstitial cystitis (IC).
  • Cancerous growths in the pelvic region.
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome, which is generally caused by varicose veins that occur as a result of improperly draining veins in the lower abdomen.
  • Spasming lower abdominal wall muscles or muscle pain linked to past surgical procedures.
  • Mesh complications, which often result from the perforation or erosion of pelvic organs in the event that the implantation of transvaginal mesh has failed.

Not all women are at risk for pelvic pain, but there are certain factors which can greatly increase a woman’s odds of suffering from chronic pelvic pain.

Some of these increasing factors include:

  • History of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Depression
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Physical abnormalities in the reproductive organs
  • Complicated pregnancy or childbirth
  • Past surgeries or treatments of the pelvic region

Taking On Treatment

The length of time that pelvic pain lasts is highly dependent on its cause. It is precisely this reason that consulting with a doctor can be helpful, as knowing the exact source of the pain will also determine the best options in treating it. Some cases of pelvic pain may be temporary, while others may be recurring or chronic. Whatever the case may be, treatment options vary not only in intensity, but also in their approach. Some instances may require the treatment of a specific disease or condition which is actually the cause of the pain, while others may necessitate the consideration of the pain itself to be an independent condition.

Some of the most common treatments include:

  • Medications
  • Hormonal therapies
  • Psychological counseling
  • Surgical removal of tumors, growths, or cysts
  • Behavioral changes
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Acupuncture
  • IV-C Therapy

At Coyle Institute, Dr. Coyle and his staff have years of experience in alleviating and treating not only pelvic pain, but also urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and a wide range of other matters related to female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery; and we welcome women suffering from these conditions to come in and see what makes being in our care so different. Give us a call today!