At New Beginnings OB/GYN in Shenandoah, Texas, our women’s wellness team wants you to know that chronic pelvic pain is anything but “routine,” and in some cases, it may be a sign of something more serious.
Here, Dr. Rania Ibrahim and Dr. Christina Parmar discuss what it means when pelvic pain becomes chronic and explain why this long-lasting discomfort always warrants an expert evaluation — especially when it’s accompanied by certain other symptoms, too.
Pelvic pain describes discomfort in the lower abdomen or the area below your navel (belly button) and between your hip bones. Depending on its cause, pelvic pain may manifest as:
Pelvic pain may be intense and sporadic, dull and constant, or it may come and go over time. In some cases, pelvic pain only occurs with certain activities — such as during sexual intercourse or exercise or whenever you urinate or lift something heavy.
You’ve been experiencing bouts of lower abdominal discomfort for a while, but should you be worried about it? After all, you know that female pelvic pain is normal — your menstrual cycle seems to trigger lower abdominal cramping and digestive discomfort every month.
But when is pelvic pain just “part of being a woman,” and when is it cause for concern?
Brief, recurrent bouts of pelvic pain are typically related to menstruation: Ovulation (egg release), uterine contractions (period cramping), and digestive effects (i.e., constipation) can make your lower abdomen feel achy, sore, and uncomfortable.
But what if — instead of subsiding as usual — your pain persists for weeks or months on end? Pelvic pain that lasts for three months or longer is considered chronic, even if it comes and goes during that time. While it doesn’t always stem from something serious, there’s nothing normal about chronic pelvic pain.
Persistent pelvic pain always warrants an expert evaluation because it can be a sign of a condition or disorder that requires medical intervention to improve or resolve.
We don’t advise waiting until pelvic pain becomes “chronic” at the three-month mark before seeking care, either; if you’ve been experiencing unusual pelvic pain for just a week or two, it’s not too early to come to see us.
The longer your pain lasts, the more it calls for an investigation. Long-term pelvic pain is even more concerning when it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Lastly, if ongoing pelvic pain is disrupting your daily life — interfering with your ability to work, sleep, or engage in activities you enjoy — it’s important to seek medical care ASAP.
Early intervention can make a world of difference when it comes to improving or resolving ongoing pelvic pain issues. Although it sometimes isn’t possible to identify the underlying cause of pelvic pain, in many cases, it turns out to be one of the following:
Once we determine the source of your pain, we can develop a treatment plan to address it. If you have endometriosis, for example, we might prescribe hormonal medications to suppress menstruation because that’s the main cause of your pelvic pain. In more severe cases, surgery may be the best option.
The bottom line? Don’t ignore unusual or long-lasting pelvic pain — we’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at New Beginnings OB/GYN in Shenandoah, Texas, today.