Many women are held captive by a recurring or constant pain in the abdomen. The pain can be intense and sometimes debilitating. It may last for months or even years, leading some women to jump from physician to physician in search of a cure.
Chronic pelvic pain is defined as a pain in the pelvic or lower abdomen area, not related to the menstrual cycle, which persists for six months or more. Because of its vague and inconsistent symptoms, chronic pelvic pain is difficult to diagnose. But it is real, and in most cases it can be treated.
There may be one factor causing the pain or there may be many. If the pain is gynecological, it could be caused by such conditions as pelvic adhesions, endometriosis, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Other common causes of pelvic pain are not gynecological, including irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis or inflammation in the urinary tract.
Because pelvic pain can be caused by a myriad of disorders, it is important to find a doctor who is sensitive to your needs and willing to take the time to solve the problem. Don't let anyone dismiss it as being "all in your head." The solution may require time and energy, but most causes of pelvic pain can be treated successfully.
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