Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is an extremely common complaint. It’s one of the top reasons why women see their OB-GYN provider between well-woman visits. At Women’s HealthFirst in northwest suburban Chicago, we understand how concerning it can be when you have pelvic pain and aren’t sure why.
The pain you experience may come and go suddenly and intensely (acute pelvic pain) – or it may develop gradually and become more persistent over time (chronic pelvic pain). Pelvic pain may be sharp, dull, or felt as a sensation of pressure, heaviness, aching, or discomfort in your lower abdomen. It can occur occasionally or constantly. Sometimes, pelvic pain only occurs with certain activities, such as during sexual intercourse, urination, bowel movements, or menstruation.
Common Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is often a symptom of another condition, gynecological or not. Some of the most common causes of pelvic pain, based on the type of pain experienced, include:
Sudden, severe, and short-lived pelvic pain may indicate an infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease a sexually transmitted infection), a ruptured ovarian cyst, or an ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg grows in an area other than the uterus – most often, in the fallopian tube). It may also indicate appendicitis.
Long-term, recurrent pelvic pain may occur due to menstrual cramps, the presence of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or a urinary tract or sexually transmitted infection.
Pain during intercourse is fairly common in women. It can be may the result of infection, injury, stress, structural issues, psychological factors, as well as a variety of medical conditions. Endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapses, ovarian cysts, and STIs are just some of the reasons why sex may have become suddenly painful for a woman.
When pain during sex occurs due to increased vaginal dryness after menopause, there are FDA-approved medications designed to help with this very problem.
In some cases, pelvic pain may occur without an identifiable cause.
When to See a Doctor
Pain is an indication that something is wrong. If your pelvic pain is sudden and severe, contact your doctor right away, as it could be a medical emergency. New, unexplained pelvic pain should also be reported to your medical provider. Even chronic pain, the type that comes and goes, can be problematic. If the pain you’re experiencing is disrupting your life, contact your Women’s HealthFirst provider.
Diagnosing & Treating Pelvic Pain
Any visit with your OB-GYN provider will begin with a review of your medical history and symptoms you are experiencing. Your provider may then perform a pelvic exam to look for any signs of skin irritation, infection, or structural abnormalities that may be contributing to your symptoms.
In many cases, identifying the cause of your pelvic pain is a process of elimination. Your Women’s HealthFirst provider may order a variety of tests to either confirm a suspected problem or rule it out. This may include lab tests, a gynecological ultrasound, and more.
Very often, we can successfully treat pelvic pain. Crucial to providing the comprehensive relief you seek is being able to properly identify the cause of your pain – then creating a treatment plan to appropriately address that condition. Even when no cause can be found, there are numerous methods we can use to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Pelvic Pain Treatment in Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Barrington & Bartlett, IL
Get rid of your pelvic pain once and for all! Call Women’s HealthFirst in northwest suburban Chicago at (847) 808-8884 to get started. You can also request an appointment right now. Our providers have the knowledge, training, and experience to treat an enormous range of OB-GYN conditions and concerns – and relieve your pelvic pain and other symptoms.
Women’s HealthFirst has five convenient locations near Chicago, Illinois, to better serve you. If you are an existing patient of ours, simply visit the online patient portal to message your provider, request an appointment, and so much more.
