- 1. Menstrual colic
- 2. Pregnancy
- 3. Urinary infection or kidney problems
- 4. Endometriosis
- 5. Uterine fibroid
- 6. Ovarian diseases
- 7. Pelvic inflammatory disease
- 8. Vulvovaginitis
- 9. Appendicitis or diverticulitis
- 10. Inguinal hernia
- What to do in case of pelvic pain
Pelvic pain is a pain felt in the region below the abdomen, also known as "belly foot" and is usually a sign of gynecological, urological, intestinal or pregnancy-related problems.
This symptom is more common in women, but it can also appear in men, being more related to intestinal or prostate problems, for example.
To make the correct diagnosis of the cause of this pain, you should go to the doctor and do tests such as urine, ultrasound or CT scan, if the doctor considers it necessary. Depending on the cause, treatment may include the use of painkillers, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, and there are even cases where surgery may be necessary, as in the case of myoma or tumor, for example.
1. Menstrual colic
It is more common in adolescents and is caused by involuntary uterine contraction during menstruation, tending to improve over the years and with pregnancy. Menstrual cramps that appear later, that progressively worsen over the months or that last longer than the period of menstruation may indicate other situations, such as endometriosis. Some women report pelvic pain with the use of the IUD, most of the time it occurs due to the poor positioning of the device inside the uterus.
How to treat: the gynecologist can indicate analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs to be used during periods of pain. In some cases, hormonal pills can be used to help regulate menstruation and relieve pelvic pain.
2. Pregnancy
Pelvic pain in pregnancy is quite common and can be caused by the production of a hormone called relaxin that is responsible for making the ligaments more elastic, making the joints looser for childbirth, and for increasing pressure on the organs and muscles in the region. pelvis with advancing pregnancy.
The pain is not severe, and it can start as early as the first trimester of pregnancy or it may appear just a few days before delivery. Most of the time the pain arises at the end of pregnancy when the weight of the belly begins to become greater.
However, in some cases, it may indicate a more serious complication of this period, such as an ectopic pregnancy or an abortion, so whenever pelvic pain appears at the beginning of a pregnancy or after a menstrual delay, it is important to consult with a gynecologist.
3. Urinary infection or kidney problems
There are several urological causes that can cause pain in the pelvic area. These include:
- Urinary tract infection; Renal or urinary tract calculus; Bladder tumor; Prostate disorders in men, such as inflammation or tumors;
If pelvic pain is accompanied by pain when urinating, presence of blood in the urine or fever, urological causes are more likely, and it is necessary to consult with the doctor to perform urine tests and ultrasound of the urinary tract, if necessary.
How to treat: Usually the treatment of urinary tract infection is done with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, which need to be used during the entire period advised by the gynecologist. Understand better how urinary tract infection is treated.
4. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, which causes inflammation and pelvic pain that worsens menstruation, increased menstrual flow, in addition to pain during intimate contact and difficulty in becoming pregnant. It is not easy to identify endometriosis, and it may be necessary to perform tests such as ultrasound or even surgery with biopsy. Understand the main symptoms that indicate endometriosis.
How to treat it: when mild, treatment can be done with pain relieving medications, such as Ibuprofen, however, in the most severe cases, hormonal remedies or surgery for endometriosis can be used, which help to reduce the amount of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
5. Uterine fibroid
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors formed in the muscle tissue that forms the uterus, and although they do not always cause symptoms, they can cause pelvic pain, bleeding or difficulty in becoming pregnant. Find out more about what fibroid is and what causes it.
How to treat: it is not always necessary to treat, being indicated the use of analgesic drugs to relieve pelvic pain, when necessary. However, when it causes severe symptoms or difficulty in getting pregnant, the gynecologist may recommend surgery or other techniques, such as embolization or cauterization of the uterus wall, to remove the tumor.
6. Ovarian diseases
The presence of ovarian cysts, tumors or infections can cause pelvic pain, as they cause distention, contraction or inflammation of the muscles of the reproductive system, in addition to increasing the risk of ovarian torsion, a situation called adnexal torsion. In these cases, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics or surgery may be necessary, according to each case.
Another common cause of pelvic pain is ovulatory pain, also known as "middle pain", as it arises during ovulation, as during this period there is an intense hormonal stimulation, with release of oocytes by the ovary, which can cause pain that, generally, lasts 1 to 2 days.
How to treat: the problem in the ovary must always be correctly identified by the gynecologist, who may indicate the use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve symptoms when they arise or even surgery.
7. Pelvic inflammatory disease
It is a disease that causes inflammation in the woman's internal genital organs, usually when a genital infection reaches the cervix and reaches the uterus, and can go up to the tubes and ovaries. It is usually caused by bacteria that can be sexually transmitted, and can be acute or chronic infections, and can persist for several months or years.
How to treat it: Treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease can be done using antibiotics orally or intramuscularly for about 14 days, requiring surgery to treat inflammation of the fallopian tubes or abscess drainage in some cases. ovarian tube. It is also recommended that the partner be treated, even if he has no symptoms, to avoid re-contamination. Learn more about the treatment of this disorder.
8. Vulvovaginitis
Other types of genital infections, such as those caused by candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, for example, can also cause pelvic pain. Although this type of infection can appear in all women and at any age, it is more frequent in those who have already started sexual activity, since intimate contact facilitates contact with microorganisms. Check out how to identify and treat vulvovaginitis.
How to treat: Treatment varies according to the cause of the infection, and antifungal or antibiotic remedies may be prescribed. Thus, the ideal is to consult a gynecologist if there is a suspicion of vulvovaginitis, to confirm the diagnosis, identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
9. Appendicitis or diverticulitis
Bowel diseases, such as gastroenteritis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease or even cancer, are also causes of pelvic pain. They are usually associated with changes in the intestinal rhythm, such as diarrhea, in addition to nausea and vomiting.
How to treat it: Appendicitis is a medical emergency, so if there is a suspicion it is very important to go to the hospital to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment, which usually includes surgery. In the case of other intestinal diseases, the ideal is to consult a gastroenterologist, to identify the problem and start the most appropriate treatment.
10. Inguinal hernia
The presence of a hernia in the pelvic region can cause pain in this region, as well as swelling in the groin and a feeling of heaviness. Inguinal hernia is more common in people who are overweight or have had some type of abdominal surgery.
How to treat it: in most cases surgery for hernia repair is indicated, especially when it causes pain and other types of symptoms. Understand better how inguinal hernia is treated.
What to do in case of pelvic pain
As the causes of pelvic pain are very varied, whenever the pain is severe or persists for more than 1 day, it is important to seek medical evaluation so that the diagnosis and treatment are done effectively.
In addition, the annual consultation with the gynecologist or urologist is important to detect changes that may not be noticed at first, which can prevent serious problems and prevent future complications, improving health and well-being.
In the meantime you can try some natural painkillers, which you can watch in the following video:
