Pelvic pain can cause discomfort in both men and women, and its origin and intensity may vary from patient to patient. At MVM Wellness Pain Vein and Wellness, our Harvard-trained physicians will work with you to find the primary cause of your pain and offer a variety of options to manage your chronic pain condition you to pinpoint it.
What is Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain affects the lowest part of the abdomen, between the belly button and groin, as well as the prostate for men. It can be associated with various conditions involving the reproductive, urinary, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal systems. Pelvic pain can be categorized as either acute, meaning sudden and intense, or chronic, meaning longstanding pain that persists longer than the usual recovery period. With chronic pain, discomfort can be resolved and later return or remain constant and can last for months or even years. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services studies have shown that about 15% of women and 10% of men in the United States have reported chronic pelvic pain that affects their ability to work, move, and live comfortably.
What Causes Pelvic Pain?
There are a variety of diseases and conditions that could cause pelvic pain in men and women. If pain and symptoms are left untreated it could cause further health complications and even infertility. Pelvic pain can present differently for men and women.
Causes Of Pelvic Pain In Men
- Interstitial cysts – a condition that causes inflammation and irritation in the bladder wall. This could lead to stiffening or scarring of the bladder causing difficulty with urination.
- Hernia – a condition in which soft tissues bulge through a weakened point in the abdominal muscles.
- Dyspareunia – Pain during sexual intercourse, in men this could be accompanied by a burning sensation during or even after ejaculation.
- Pudendal Neuralgia – a condition that causes the pinching or compression of the pudendal nerve, which passes from the anal region to the genitals.
Causes Of Pelvic Pain In Women
- Pelvic congestion – a condition in which varicose veins develop around the ovaries. The valves in the veins no longer function normally which causes blood to back up. The veins then become engorged or “congested,” which can cause pain and discomfort.
- Chronic Vulvovaginitis – is the swelling or infection of the vagina. It may also affect the outer part of a woman’s genitals, the vulva. Vaginitis can cause itching, pain, discharge, and odor.
- Dyspareunia – a persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during, or after sex. This can cause marked distress or interpersonal conflict in the patient
- Endometriosis – is a disorder in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity. This could cause moderate to severe pain, menstrual irregularities, and problems with fertility.
Other Causes Of Pelvic Pain
Other causes of pelvic pain include ectopic pregnancies, UTIs, STIs, and appendicitis. The nature of symptoms varies for every individual but may include:
- persistent cramping
- abdominal pressure
- pain after urination
- pain after sexual intercourse
- persistent throbbing or aching in your lower abdomen
These symptoms are signs of more serious conditions that can become life-threatening.
How is Pelvic Pain Treated? How Can We Help?
All of the physicians at MVM Health – Pain, Vein & Wellness are Ivy League trained and certified in advanced pain procedures. We are committed to creating a warm and transparent physician-patient relationship. Treatments for pelvic pain are as unique as each of our patients. Individualized treatment options are provided after a thorough diagnostic workup. Some of our Treatment options include:
- Medication management – a strategy for engaging with patients and caregivers to create a complete and accurate medication list to achieve a planned or desired outcome
- Physical therapy – a tailored treatment plan that physical therapists will utilize to help people with pelvic pain restore strength, flexibility, and function to the muscles and joints in the pelvic region.
- Behavioral Health – behavioral health interventions assist patients with pain education and teach coping skills to manage pain.
- Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections – a steroid injection to the lower back that reduces pain and inflammation.
- Pudendal Nerve Blocking – an x-ray or ultrasound-guided procedure that professionals utilize to inject the area around the pudendal nerve with a local anesthetic and steroid to relieve pain.
- Ultrasound Guided Illionguinal Nerve Block – a procedure that utilizes ultrasound to inject the surrounding area of the nerve with a steroid to relieve pain. This is usually used to relieve pain after hernia surgery.
- Genitofemoral Nerve Block – A minimally invasive procedure using an x-ray or ultrasound to inject the genitofemoral nerve with a steroid to relieve chronic pain in the groin or pelvic region.
- Radiofrequency Ablation – This is a minimally invasive technique that shrinks the size of tumors, nodules, or other growths in the body.
Consistent pelvic pain over a period of time can disrupt the quality of your daily life. Chronic pain can affect both your physical and mental health. Our goal is to provide maximum relief with minimal risk. Each treatment is expertly executed with precision and care.
Our Care Philosophy
Our MVM physicians, Dr. Mohamed Osman, Dr.Vwaire Orhurhu, and Dr. Miriam Salisu are Harvard-trained professionals that are committed to empowering our patients to be involved in decisions surrounding their care. Our all-encompassing approach to pain management ensures that our patients receive up-to-date care by providing novelty treatment options to help grant patients a new opportunity to achieve a better quality of life.
With over 130 published peer-reviewed articles, our physicians understand the importance of education and are focused on providing the latest research methods and modalities within pain management. We understand that everyone experiences pain differently and we believe that transparency and trust are the foundation of a healthy physician-patient relationship and that your needs are our top priority.
We are proud to serve the communities of East Stroudsberg, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania. Our clinic features innovative technology and equipment that makes it possible for our physicians to provide exceptional patient care. Let your pain and anxiety be a thing of the past. Contact MVM Health – Pain, Vein, and Wellness at (570) 445-2200 for more information.
