02 Jan How Is Pelvic Pain Diagnosed And Treated?
Chronic pelvic pain is a very real condition in both men and women. Typically, when people hear the term “pelvic pain” it is immediately attributed to pain in a woman’s reproductive organs. However, this is entirely incorrect. Pelvic pain can of course refer to pain stemming from reproductive organs in women. However, it can have many other potential causes that should be explored and addressed. Pelvic pain can be caused by everything from digestive disorders to urinary tract problems to endometriosis. There is a wide range of issues that can cause pelvic pain, and they must be addressed thoroughly in order to find the underlying cause of discomfort.
Pelvic pain can have a wide variety of causes from appendicitis to kidney stones to hernia and so much more. In addition, women in particular have even more potential causes of pelvic pain including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and fibroids to name a few. There are a few key symptoms that indicate something may be wrong in the pelvic region. This includes everything from painful urination to unusual bowel movements to pain in the hip or groin area.
There are a variety of tests that are done to accurately diagnose pelvic pain. Physicians always start with a patient’s history and physical exam. This helps to give background on the situation and see if anything seems out of place. Physicians typically screen for sexually transmitted diseases and these can sometimes cause inflammation and thus pain in the pelvic region. Then, pelvic x-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests will be conducted to see if there is anything abnormal that is not visible to the naked eye.
Treatment of pelvic pain is done on an individual level. There is not one specific treatment for pelvic pain because there is not one specific cause of pelvic pain. It is important to ensure the proper cause of pain is identified before beginning treatment. In some cases, medications such as antibiotics may be needed, yet in others, surgery or other procedures may be needed to stop the pain. It is important to visit pain specialists regarding pelvic pain because they may have access to specialized treatments such as diagnostic nerve blocks which can greatly help those suffering from pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is best treated when addressed as soon as symptoms occur. It may be embarrassing or difficult to bring up at a doctor’s appointment, but it is necessary in order to get the best treatment possible.
Pelvic pain is a very real problem for both men and women. Suffering from pelvic pain regardless of the cause can greatly diminish a person’s quality of life. Pelvic pain can be embarrassing to talk about. But, discussing the pain early on with a pain specialist with pain doctors Chicago will give a patient the best chance at finding an adequate treatment plan. All pelvic pain is different and determining the underlying cause is absolutely key to finding the best course of treatment. Having a strong relationship with a specialist in pain management is the most important aspect of pelvic pain treatment.