Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer. The pain can come and go, or it can be constant. It does not have to occur every day for it to be considered chronic.
What causes chronic pelvic pain?
Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. Some of these conditions may not be related to the reproductive organs, but rather to the urinary tract or bowel. Sometimes there is more than one condition that might be the cause of the pain. Sometimes the cause of chronic pelvic pain remains unknown. Not finding a cause does not mean that the pain is not real.
THESE ARE SOME HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE PELVIC PAIN :
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Endometriosis
The tissue lining the inside of the uterus is called the endometrium. Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial-like tissue is present outside the uterus such as on the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the bowels or in the bladder. Endometriosis can cause pain in the pelvic area, pain during sexual intercourse, painful periods, as well as bowel and urinary problems.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus, causing pain, painful periods, and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Pelvic adhesions or scar tissue
Adhesions can be present in the pelvic area after infections, endometriosis, surgeries,…
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can occur on the inside of the uterus, within the wall of the uterus, or attached to the outside of the uterus. They may cause heavier menstrual periods, or pain or pressure in the abdomen or lower back.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID is an infection of the reproductive organs. It can cause acute pain. However, pain can remain even after the infection is treated.
Urinary tract problems such as repeated urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis…
Digestive system problems such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis…
Muscular and skeletal problems such as lower back problems, poor posture, disk injuries, pelvic floor muscle disorders (weakness, spasm, injury...).
Often, chronic pelvic pain can make it hard to live the kind of life that the patient wants, interfering with the ability to work, exercise, or have sex. Therefore, chronic pelvic pain is often associated with psychological, relational or social distress and with an overall reduced quality of life.
Can chronic pelvic pain be treated?
While working within a multidisciplinary team, we aim to improve or elevate the chronic pain symptoms by a variety of treatment options. Often the treatments are used in combination. By using a bio-psycho-social approach the treatment plan will be adapted to the patient’s personal situation.