Pelvic pain can be due to many reasons, from infection to constipation. Pelvic pain can be debilitating and impacts men and women the same. Among the different causes of pelvic pain, appendicitis and peritonitis are serious conditions that need to be attended to urgently. According to National Health Services, UK, “The type of pain varies, and it may be sudden and severe (acute pelvic pain) or last 6 months or longer (chronic pelvic pain).”
What Are Pelvic Pain Symptoms?
Symptoms of pelvic pain vary widely. They can be:
- Sharp and stabbing or burning
- Dull, achy, or feeling of pressure
- Feels like a knot
- Cramping or throbbing
- Can come suddenly, slowly, and gradually, or only be related to an activity such as exercise, urinating, or intercourse.
Can Pelvic Issues Cause Back Pain?
Yes. The pelvis is connected to the spine above and the lower extremities at the hip joint. There are different reasons for pelvic pain and some of them can lead to lower back pain. For instance, prostate issues can refer pain to the lower spine, causing lower back pain. Menstrual cramps in some women come with lower back pain and chronic sacroiliac joint pain and at times are accompanied by pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is a common symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction which most often impacts the lower back. To learn more about pelvic floor dysfunction and the many symptoms associated with it, visit my blog posts.
Lower back, pelvis and hip muscles
Will Pelvic Pain Go Away?
Depending on the cause of pelvic pain, the pain may or may not go away. Like most cases, if the issue is addressed correctly, the pain will go away but should we stop at that? Should we be content with the pain coming, then going away and us thinking the problem is solved? In almost all cases, the answer is no!
If medication is the reason for the pelvic pain to go away, then unless it is a bacteria or a pathogen that is causing the pain and the medication eradicates the pathogen, you should not stop there. Unfortunately, often, the real solution to the problem is never sought, or by the time the person reaches it, the sensitive timeline has passed.
Who Treats Pelvic Pain?
The medical professional treating pelvic pain varies depending on the type of pelvic pain. It may be a:
- Urologist
- Urogynecologist
- Gynecologist
- Chiropractor
- Proctologist
- Gastroenterologist or
- Pelvic floor therapist
When related to the pelvic floor, the best and most suitable provider is the pelvic floor therapist who may or may not be a physical therapist. If pelvic pain is related to pelvic floor dysfunction, then the most important factor to keep in mind is that the ‘house’ (pelvis) has to be stable before you think about the ‘floor’. That is not happening in the world of pelvic floor dysfunction and that is the reason why the condition in most people does not fully resolve.
People simply don’t talk about it or talk themselves into being content with what they have. They consider it a part of aging or blame something else for what they are experiencing.
If you think your pelvic pain has not been treated effectively or wonder what else you can do to not only be pain-free but to not be limited by what pelvic issues bring to your life, contact me.
Dr. Shakib
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