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Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain: Risk Factors, Complications

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Tests to Diagnose Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

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The diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) to find out the cause of the occurrence of pain reveals an elimination process to get rid of the chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Doctors usually examine the nature and the seriousness of the pain along with its history. The possible tests to detect chronic pelvic pain (CPP) are:

  • Examination of the pelvic area to recognize any infection, muscular growths or tension in the pelvic muscles. Doctor tests the cause of sensitivity. It is good to consult the doctor during the period of pain for better diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain.
  • Laboratory test of samples of cervix or vagina cells are performed to detect infections like Chlamydia or gonorrhea present in the body that can be causing chronic pelvic pain.
  • Ultrasound sound wave tests are performed to see the structures of pelvic part of the body.
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scans, X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are recommended by the doctor to find out any abnormal growth of tissues in the pelvic part of the body which could be the cause of chronic pelvic pain.
  • Laparoscopy is recommended by doctors to check the pelvic organs and presence of any infection in the pelvic region for chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It helps in finding out presence of any endometriosis or inflammatory diseases.

The doctor may plan a treatment plan for a particular patient depending on the diagnosis and the history. Since there is no clear cause behind the occurrence of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in a body, the procedure of treatment is varied.

Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

The treatment process is easy and fast in people who have been correctly diagnosed of the exact reason causing chronic pelvic pain (CPP). However if the reason is unknown, doctors focus on ways to reduce the pain in pelvic than anything else.

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Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)
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Medications for Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

There are many medications prescribed by the physician depending on the seriousness of pain and other medical conditions of the patient. These medications for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) include the following:

  • Pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) are prescribed by the doctors for years to reduce the chronic pelvic pain the patient goes through during this phase. These drugs are given to provide some relief from the extreme and unbearable chronic pelvic pain (CPP). These pain relievers are not available to any person without proper doctor’s prescription. However pain medication alone cannot solve the severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP).
  • Hormones which are in charge of the menstrual cycle in women are treated to get rid of the chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Certain hormones are in charge of the ovulation in women. These hormones are treated to reduce the chronic pain occurring to the pelvic. The repetitive pelvic pain may be brought under control by regular birth pills.
  • Antibiotics are prescribed if there is possibility of any infection in the origin of chronic pelvic pain.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, like nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline etc. are helpful in treating chronic pelvic pain (CPP). These drugs act as both pain relievers and have antidepressant effects. Women without signs of depression are also benefitted by such drugs in chronic pelvic pain.

Therapies for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

Other than the medication, there are certain other therapies which the doctor may prescribe for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) along with it. These are:

  • Work outs, swimming, body massages, stretching exercises and cold-hot application in the abdomen are helpful in getting some relief from chronic pelvic pain. It increases the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. These are strategies to cope with the extreme pain in pelvis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS is often prescribed in such therapy where the electrodes are passed to send electrical impulses to the nerves of the pelvic region. Thus the muscles calm and relax.
  • Neurostimulation (spinal cord stimulation) is prescribed to blocks the pain signals to reach the brain. This therapy is however effective in some rare cases of pelvic pain.
  • Trigger point injections are also applied for the same reason to block the nerves to send signals to the brain. It is a kind of long-acting local anesthetic condition to block the pelvic pain and ease the pain.
  • The other syndromes along with the pelvic pain like sexual abuse, depression, personality disorder, marital dispute or other family programs can be controlled be effective counseling.

Surgery to Treat Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

At times doctors may prescribe surgery to treat chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The procedures are:

  • People who have chronic pelvic pain caused due to endometriosis are operated to remove the adhesions or endometrial tissue in laparoscopic surgery. A slender is inserted in the body during the surgery to view through a tiny incision created near the navel. The device is inserted in the body to remove endometrial tissue to reduce the pelvic pain in the lower abdomen.
  • Doctors recommend a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy surgery and completely remove the uterus and ovaries from the body. However this surgery is not recommended to women in their reproductive ages. Women who have sufficient numbers of kids and are no longer planning to have another can get this procedure done for a complete relief from chronic pelvic pain.

Changes in Lifestyle for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) has a major impact on your regular life of a person. It can lead to tremendous frustration where you even cannot sleep or work out properly. It brings a toll on every regular physical activity.

Anxiety and level of stress increases during such phase and worsens the condition of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Certain techniques of stress management could be used during such period to get rid of unnecessary stress. These are:

  • Self-healing meditation.
  • Simple techniques of deep breathing.
  • Proper work out and good physical activity.
  • Proper time of sleeping without any hindrance.

Risk Factors for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

The following are the factors of risk for chronic pelvic pain (CPP):

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  • African and American woman have a higher chance of growing chronic pelvic pain (CPP) as suggested by a research study.
  • Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is common in woman at the age of reproduction. In men, Chronic pelvic pain is caused due to chronic orchalgia, prostatodynia and chronic (nonbacterial) prostatitis.
  • Chronic pelvic pain is most seen in women at an age of 26 to 30 years, which is supposed to be the average reproductive age.

Complications for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) can be equally suffering like any other chronic pain. Chronic pain in pelvic may last for long and cause marital issues, disability, and incompetency in job, other family problems and many other adverse medical conditions.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:January 30, 2019

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