Pelvic Pain

What causes pelvic pain?

Your pelvic area lies just below your abdominal cavity, where it houses your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. While pelvic pain is often related to your reproductive organs, it can also arise from other structures in the pelvic cavity, such as your bladder, rectum, and the connective tissues and muscles supporting your pelvic organs.

The most common gynecologic conditions responsible for pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Pelvic adhesions (scar tissue)

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken. Normally these muscles hold your pelvic organs in place. 

Without strong muscular support, organs such as your uterus, bladder, and rectum can fall out of their normal position, a condition called pelvic organ prolapse. When the prolapse causes pelvic pain or is so severe the uterus protrudes from your vagina, Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi performs surgery to repair and strengthen the muscles.

When does pelvic pain need medical care?

You may have a hard time deciding when to seek medical care for pelvic pain because the symptoms vary. Pelvic pain may feel like a dull ache or a sudden sharp pain. Your pain may come and go, remain as a constant sensation, or appear during certain activities. Sometimes the pain may radiate to your back, thighs, or buttocks.

Any time you have pelvic pain or questions about your symptoms, it’s important to see Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi to rule out problems that could get worse or affect your reproductive tract.

You should schedule an appointment when you experience pelvic pain:

• That is sudden and severe
• With nausea, vomiting, and fever
• Plus bleeding after menopause
• That keeps getting worse
• Accompanied by bloating

Pelvic pain that doesn’t go away is always a red flag that you should get medical care.

How is pelvic pain treated?

After a pelvic exam, Dr. Kamal-Mostafavi may perform an ultrasound or order blood tests to determine the cause of your pelvic pain. Then she customizes your treatment based on the cause and the severity of your symptoms.  

Since your treatment targets the cause, and there are so many possible reasons for pelvic pain, it’s impossible to give you a comprehensive list of potential therapies. A few examples of treatments include medication to relieve pain, hormonal medications, or a minimally invasive laparoscopy to remove problems such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or ovarian cysts.

If you experience pelvic pain, call Noreen Kamal-Mostafavi, MD, or book an appointment online.