Pelvic pain is a condition that affects people of all ages and genders and is a common problem nowadays. Maywell Health is the home of expert pain management professionals who will guide you on what pelvic pain is along with what male pelvic pain syndrome is, its symptoms, and treatment options as well.
Understanding Pelvic Pain
The pelvis is the area in your body where organs like bladders and intestines are located. Any kind of irritation, pain, or discomfort you feel in this area is designated as pelvic pain. This condition can further get severe for both males and females. In males, the most common issue is male pelvic pain syndrome.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain Location: If you are experiencing pain inside your pelvis or around the lower abdomen, it’s pelvic pain.
- Pain Type: You can also determine pelvic pain with the type of pain as in this condition you feel constant discomfort and striking pain.
- Menstrual Changes: Sudden changes in the menstrual cycle are a sign of pelvic pain in women.
- Pain During Sex: Pelvic pain might also get elevated during sexual intercourse.
Treating Pelvic Pain
- Conservative Options: The first step to treating pelvic pain is going with non-invasive treatments like:
- Resting: In case of pelvic pain, it’s important to rest and avoid doing things that could increase the pain.
- Heat/Cold Therapy: Use hot or cold packs for the pelvic region as it provides instant relief.
- Physical Therapy: Get in touch with a professional physical therapist and do exercises that improve muscle strength in the pelvic area.
- Pharmacologic Approaches: Some of the common medications to take for pelvic pain are:
- Painkillers: If you are feeling unbearable pain and need quick relief, drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are quite useful.
- Antibiotics: In some cases, pelvic pain is caused by an infection for which patients are given antibiotics.
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy is a medical approach for pelvic pain in women that reduces pain and regulates menstrual periods.
- Pain Medicine Interventions: These treatments target pain directly:
- Corticosteroid Injections: Doctors may use these injections to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Ultrasound-Guided Procedures: Ultrasound helps doctors aim injections accurately.
- Fluoroscopic-Guided Procedures: Fluoroscopy is like an X-ray that helps with precise injections.
- Surgical Procedures: In some cases, surgery may be needed:
- Laparoscopy: Surgeons use small incisions to examine and treat the pelvic area.
- Hysterectomy: In females, removing the uterus may be necessary in severe cases.
Anatomical Structures
Understanding your pelvic anatomy can help you grasp pelvic pain better.
- Pelvis: Your pelvis is like a bowl-shaped structure that supports your abdominal organs.
- Reproductive Organs: In females, the pelvis contains the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
- Bladder and Bowel: These organs are also located in the pelvic area and can cause pain if there are issues.
Whether we talk about treating male pelvic pain syndrome or low pelvic pain and back pain, there are many ways to manage these conditions. But in all cases, what’s important is that you work closely with professionals who know how to deal with all types of pelvic pain. Once you follow the right treatment plan, you can closely get back into your normal life of no pain and top-notch comfort.
