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 ease the pain. However, sometimes it is not possible to identify a single cause for pelvic discomfort, and in such cases the goal 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 one that most affects the female population.

Ovulation — Ovulating can cause a painful sensation on one side of the pelvis in the middle of a menstrual cycle, 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 of Pelvic Pain 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 either affect the entire pelvic region or a specific, defined, 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 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.

Call one of our clinics today to start improving your women’s health! Residents of Evergreen Park can book an appointment by calling, or by visiting our clinic at 9730 S. Western Ave Suite 700, Evergreen Park, IL 60805. Residents of Mokena can book an appointment by calling, or by visiting our office conveniently located at 10260 W. 191st St. Suite 100, Mokena, IL 60448. To better care for you, both of our clinics are open six days a week. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Evergreen Park IL, Mokena IL, Oak Lawn IL, Chicago Ridge IL, Hickory Hills IL, Bridgeview IL, and Bedford Park IL.