Diagnosing and treating pelvic pain
When women have pain in the pelvic area, including in their lower abdomen, pelvis or vaginal area, that is called pelvic pain. Acute pain is severe and happens suddenly, while chronic pain is pain in the pelvic region that has lasted for six or more months. Female reproductive health problems can cause pain, but other non-gynecologic issues can also cause problems. Pelvic problems may be difficult to diagnose, but our San Antonio OBGYNs have the experience and skills to find the root cause of the pain and treat it.
What causes acute pain in the pelvic area?
Acute pelvic pain begins suddenly, and it can be very intense. Acute pain can be a warning that a woman has a serious problem that needs emergency medical care. Patients should call our office if they are concerned, or go to an emergency facility if the pain is severe.
Here are some of the conditions that cause acute pain in the pelvic region.
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage or an event that may lead to one
- Ruptured fallopian tube
- Twisted or ruptured ovarian cyst
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Appendicitis
Several issues can cause chronic pain
Our San Antonio OBGYNs define chronic pain in the pelvic area as pain that has lasted six months or more. This pain can come and go over several months, or may be constant.
Our physicians recommend that patients contact us before the pain becomes chronic. The sooner we can diagnose the cause, the better for the patient. One or more of the following problems could cause a woman’s pain.
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pelvic floor problems, such as pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic adhesions
- Recurrent UTIs
- Interstitial cystitis
There are several issues unrelated to women’s reproductive health that can cause pelvic pain, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lower back and spine problems, being overweight or obese, and other issues.
Our San Antonio OBGYNs expertly diagnose and treat your pain
There are so many conditions that can cause pain in the pelvic region. This makes it difficult to diagnose, if the physician doesn’t have the necessary experience and knowledge. Our San Antonio OBGYNs have the skills to find out what is causing a patient’s problem.
From the first thorough physical examination and lab tests to more complex diagnostic tools, such as pelvic ultrasound, MRI and minimally invasive gynecology procedures, our physicians dig deeper to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment ranges from pain medication and lifestyle changes to specialized physical therapy or minimally invasive gynecological surgery. Our team evaluates the cause of the problem, the patient’s health and other factors when they design a treatment plan. Patients can depend on our physicians to help them with pain in the pelvic area. Contact us for an appointment.
