What Does Pelvic Pain Feel Like?
Pelvic pain is pain or pressure felt anywhere in the abdomen below the navel. It may be intermittent or constant. Many women describe pelvic pain as a dull ache that may include sharp pains as well. Pelvic pain can be accompanied by other symptoms, too, like abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower back pain, and vaginal discharge. Being aware of other symptoms can be important clues in discovering the source of the pelvic pain.To help your doctor accurately diagnose the cause of pelvic pain, try to record information like when the pain occurs, what you were doing when the pain occurs, and what helps alleviate the pain. This can include laying down or taking over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Creating a symptom/pain journal is an excellent method of tracking your pain.
Pelvic Pain is a Common Symptom of Many Other Conditions
Although pelvic pain is a symptom of gynecologic cancer, it is also the symptom of many other conditions. Possible conditions that cause pelvic pain:-
constipation
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PMS
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urinary tract infections
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kidney stones
- endometriosis[br
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fibroid tumors
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ovarian cysts
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ectopic pregnancy
- pelvic inflammatory disease
When to See a Doctor and What to Expect
For most women, pelvic pain is caused by a benign condition that is not cancer related, however, women who experience sudden or long-term pelvic pain should have it evaluated by a physician. Pelvic pain that is not related to cancer can still be serious. It is important to note that mild cramping and pain associated with menstruation is normal and does not require medical attention unless it is very painful (dysmenorrhea).When you do see a doctor about your pelvic pain, your doctor will ask you several questions related to your pain, such as when it occurs, what triggers it, what relieves it, and how long you have been experiencing it. Determining whether it is acute or chronic pelvic pain helps the doctor decide what medical tests are needed. For example, a sudden onset of pelvic pain in a woman could indicate an ectopic pregnancy in some cases, while a woman who has been experiencing pelvic pain for months could be suffering from endometriosis.
Whether or not the pelvic pain is chronic or acute, your doctor will want to do a pelvic exam that may include a Pap smear. A pelvic exam allows your doctor to check for any abnormalities within the vagina, cervix, ovaries, and uterus. He or she may also take vaginal cultures to screen for infection. This is very routine; your doctor is looking for undetected sexually transmitted diseases or other infections that may cause pelvic pain.
Based on the findings from the pelvic exam, family history, and personal health history, your doctor may want to do more tests to discover the cause of the pelvic pain. An ultrasound (transvaginal and/or abdominal) is often the first tests doctors order to evaluate pelvic pain. A pregnancy test may be necessary to rule out possible pregnancy related causes, as well.
Pelvic Pain Emergencies
If you suddenly experience severe pelvic pain, especially if it is one side or if you suspect or know you are pregnant, you need to seek medical treatment immediately. This is a dangerous symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are not common, however, they can be life threatening if untreated.Secondly, an appendicitis can produce sudden pain that is near the bellybutton, which can be mistaken for pelvic pain. Like an ectopic pregnancy, an appendicitis can be life threatening. Generally, an appendicitis begins with pain near the belly button and radiates toward the right. More appendicitis symptoms
Sources:
American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Vaginal Cancer. 12 July 2006. Accessed 15 October 2009.
American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Ovarian Cancer. 16 Feb 2008. Accessed 22 October 2009.
National Cancer Institute. Ovarian Cancer. 23 April 2007. Accessed 22 October 2009.
National Cancer Institute. Vaginal Cancer (PDQ®): Treatment; 23 May 2008. Accessed October 2009.
