The pelvis is an area of the body below the abdomen or belly containing organs like nerves, blood vessels, the bladder, and the bowel.
Pelvic pain usually refers to pain in the region of women's reproductive organs, but it could also affect men. And it's not just a reproductive issue as most people would like to believe. It could also be as a result of an infection in the pelvic bone or an internal organ with no reproductive function.
1. Reproductive Issues
i. Endometriosis
Tissues in the uterine lining grow outside the uterus. It can cause bleeding and pain which is dependent on where the tissue implants. Pelvic pain is one of the most common symptoms linked to endometriosis.
Most times, symptoms surface during menstruation and sufferers describe it as intense menstrual cramps.
ii. Fibroids
Fibroids are benign or non-cancerous growth in the uterus. Large fibroids may cause pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen. It may cause the sufferer to get pressed more often than usual and make it difficult for them to lie down and perform exercise.
iii. Ovulation Pain
It is also referred to as Mittelschermz which is German for middle pain. As the name implies, this pain usually occurs in the middle part of the lower abdomen. It leads to mild discomfort in the pelvis or lower abdomen which could last for minutes or even days. Ovulation pain could feel like cramps or sharp pains. However, it is not an indication of a critical health issue.
iv. Ectopic Pregnancy
Normally, implantation of the fertiliser fetus occurs in the wall of the uterus. However, in this life-threatening condition, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus in the abdomen or pelvis. Pelvic pain is one of the first symptoms and it increases as the fetus grows.
v. Menstrual Cramps
It usually occurs in the lower part of the pelvis. It starts just before a person's period and may continue throughout the period. If the pain is extremely painful and persistent, it could be a sign of endometriosis.
vi. Postratitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland. One of its major symptoms is painful urination. It also comes with pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, lower back, and pain in the area around the scrotum, penis and rectum.
2. Non-reproductive conditions that can cause pelvic pain
i. Urinary Tract Infection(UTI)
One major symptom of UTI is painful urination which comes with pelvic pain or cramps. Most times, you'll feel pains, pressure and soreness in your pelvic region.
ii. Hernia
Surprised? Well yes, a hernia could be the cause of that pain in your pelvic region.
Hernia is a condition where an internal organ penetrates through a weak or soft part in the muscles. It would occur in the abdomen, thorax or thigh. Hernias are usually asymptomatic but on some occasions may cause chronic pelvic pain.
iii. STIs
A few Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia cause pelvic pain. Also, some STIs indirectly cause pelvic pain by resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease(PID).
iv. Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a vestigial organ which attaches to the large intestine and stores stones and seeds filtered from food. The appendix is situated in the lower part of the right part of the abdomen.
Appendicitis is a very common condition which mostly affects adolescents. The pain it causes could get worse during coughs, and deep breaths.
Common symptoms are vomiting, nausea and appetite loss.
Most times, symptoms aren't enough to tell the cause of a problem. On getting to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor may perform one of the following tests on you.
The treatment of pelvic pain depends on the cause. Some common treatment methods are:
Pelvic pain could be an indication of conditions other than reproductive issues. Some of these conditions may be benign or lethal. As soon as the pain begins to linger, it's best to get a proper medical checkup.
Generally, regular exercise and intake of a balanced diet could help prevent pain of any sort.