Pelvic Pain Treatment Doctor Q&A

Pelvic pain refers to any pain, discomfort, or tenderness in the area between the bellybutton and the hips. Pelvic pain can have multiple causes. It can be a symptom of another disease (secondary pelvic pain), or it can be a condition on its own (primary pelvic pain). If pelvic pain appears to be caused by another medical problem, treating that problem may be enough to ameliorate the pain. However, in many cases, it is not possible to identify a single cause for pelvic pain. In that case, the goal of treatment is to reduce pain and other symptoms and improve quality of life.

There are many causes of pelvic pain, the most common that affect women include:

• Menstrual Pain and Cramps — Menstrual cramping is a common cause of pelvic pain and is the most common cause that affects the female population.
• Ovulation — Ovulation can cause a painful sensation on one side of the pelvis in the middle of a menstrual cycle, which is known as mittelschmerz. This German word literally means ‘middle pain,’ and can happen when a woman releases an egg, along with some other fluid that spreads within the pelvic area. This can sometimes cause irritation in the pelvis which leads to pain.
• Interstitial Cystitis — Women may also experience ongoing bladder inflammation with no identifiable cause. The medical term for this is interstitial cystitis, and doctors are still not sure why it occurs. Other common causes include:

• Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infections
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Endometriosis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Appendicitis
• Urinary Stones
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Pelvic Adhesions
• Ovarian Cysts
• Uterine Fibroids
• Tumors

Pelvic pain can affect the entire pelvic region, or a specific, pinpointed area. Symptoms may include:

• Severe and steady pain
• Pain that comes and goes (intermittent)
• Dull aching
• Sharp pains or cramping
• Pressure or heaviness deep within the pelvis
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain while having a bowel movement/urinating
• Pain when sitting for long periods of time

The treatment for pelvic pain largely depends on its cause and the following factors:

• The severity of pain
• The location of the pain
• How many areas are affected
• If there are any pre-existing conditions
• If previous treatments have failed to provide relief

Based on these factors, the treatment for pelvic pain can range from over-the-counter medicines to non-invasive procedures to surgery.

Women who have pelvic discomfort can get thorough testing and proper care from our team of medical experts at Columbia Clinic Urgent Care. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Tibbetts St Portland, Milwaukie OR, Oak Grove OR, Stark Street Portland, Fairview OR, Happy Valley OR, Gladstone OR, Cedar Mill OR, Tigard OR, Lake Oswego OR, Tualatin OR, Oregon City OR.