Pelvic pain is a symptom that can often be associated with various causes and associated symptoms. Because numerous muscles, joints and organs come together in the pelvis and influence each other, the cause of this condition is not always clearly determined. If you suffer from pelvic pain in the long term, this is called “chronic pelvic pain syndrome”. In men and women, pelvic pain syndrome can cause specific symptoms and indicate prostate problems or menstrual pain, respectively. The complaints caused by this syndrome can be treated in various ways, including antibiotics and painkillers. Wearing a pelvic brace can also be useful to combat pelvic pain. What are the main causes and symptoms of this pelvic pain syndrome?
Pelvic pain
The pelvis is a part of the body where many bodily functions come together. It is the place where organs, muscles, joints and ligaments are located and they all influence each other. A problem with one of these body parts can cause another body part to experience negative consequences, in the form of pain. For this very reason, pelvic pain cannot always be explained unequivocally. Therefore, the correct diagnosis may take some time, as various medical examinations must be performed.
What is Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Pelvic pain syndrome is a set of symptoms that includes different types of pain, including pelvic pain, lower abdominal pain , radiating pain to the genitals and pain symptoms in the urinary tract. What is specific to this pelvic pain syndrome is that the exact cause can rarely be determined with one hundred percent certainty. Some people suffer from long-term pelvic pain: this is known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) .
Symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome
General symptoms
The trick is to be able to determine with certainty what is the “cause” and what is the “effect” of pelvic pain syndrome. Pain during urination, for example, can be a result of a problem with the pelvic floor muscles, while it can also be a cause of radiating pelvic floor pain. A pain point that initiates other symptoms (radiating pain) is also called a trigger point . In both women and men, chronic pelvic pain syndrome can cause the following symptoms :
- pain in the lower abdomen
- pain in the hip
- pain in the lower back
- pain when urinating
- pain in the muscles in the pelvic area
- pain during or after intercourse
Women
, pelvic pain may increase during menstruation . A problem with the muscles in the lower abdomen can also lead to vague pelvic pain that can radiate to the vagina. This may result in pain when urinating. Pain may also be experienced in the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The woman may also feel pelvic pain during pregnancy. This is often remedied by specific therapeutic exercises aimed at the pelvic floor muscles.
Men
Men may experience pelvic pain in the case of prostate problems ( prostatitis , prostate cancer ) and kidney stones. Problems with the abdominal muscles can also radiate to the urethra and penis. Pelvic pain often “wanders” around the same area of the body, moving from the lower abdomen to the hips and genitals.
Causes of chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Cause or symptom?
As mentioned, causes and symptoms can form a complicated knot that the treating physician must untangle. Due to the complexity of the pelvis, different doctors often have to work together to arrive at a correct diagnosis after various examinations. This could be a gynecologist, andrologist, urologist , pelvic physiotherapist, but also a psychologist.
Psychological
Problems (tension, pain) can also occur in the pelvis because people are under stress or have to deal with mental and psychological pressure in their daily lives. Anyone who is stressed can put unnecessary tension on the pelvic floor muscles, which can be negative in the long term.
Other causes
Overloading the muscles in or around the pelvis can also be a cause of pain. Other possible causes can be located in the back (hernia) and in the urinary tract ( bladder, kidneys ).
Treatment of chronic pelvic pain
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
Proper treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome depends on determining the causes. The physiotherapist will undoubtedly play an important role, especially in strengthening or specifically using the pelvic floor muscles. After a series of exercises, the pelvic floor muscles can become stronger and pelvic pain can be greatly reduced or even disappear.
Antibiotics
In addition, medication can also be prescribed to relieve the pain. In the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics can be administered to treat the inflammation caused, allowing healing to occur quite quickly. In the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, different therapies are often used together to relieve the patient’s complaints and achieve healing. An additional option is treatment with muscle relaxants.
Painkillers
Painkillers are primarily aimed at relieving pain, however minimal that relief may be in some patients. Because some patients with pelvic pain hardly benefit from painkillers. Still, any relief from the pain is a bonus. Initially you can start with paracetamol, after which in case of severe pain you can also switch to anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs: ibuprofen, nurofen). Since chronic pelvic pain is often accompanied by lower back pain, painkillers for back pain can also offer a solution.
Pelvic brace
Additionally, it may be useful to wear a brace that supports the pelvis. A pelvic brace can help to reduce pain in some cases, such as pelvic instability. Because the pelvic brace supports the lower vertebrae and the pelvis, it offers more stability when making movements. Both the lower back and the pelvis are better protected, which reduces the chance of pain occurring. The prices of pelvic braces vary depending on the protection offered (pelvic instability due to pregnancy, pelvic pain due to back problems, etc.) and in 2020 are approximately between 25 and 200 euros.
read more
- Pain during urination in men: causes, treatment, tips
- Pain during urination in women: causes & treatment
- Prostate: symptoms & treatment of prostate problems
