Chronic Pelvic Pain
What is Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)?
- Non-cyclical pain (not occurring during menses period every month) usually for more than 6 months in the lower abdomen.
- This dull aching pain condition is also called PCS (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)
- Most commonly seen in women between 20-45 years of age.
- Pain usually worsens by sitting, standing, at the end of the day, during or after intercourse (medical term- Dyspareunia) or sometimes just before the onset of menses.
- Affected women may also feel urinary frequency, depression, vaginal discharge or discomfort while passing stools.
Why does it happen?
- Multiple factors can lead to CPP and PCS (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome)
- It is thought to be due to ovarian and pelvic varicosities (just like the leg pain resulting in ‘varicose veins’)
- Multiple pregnancies and weight gain usually result in these veins getting dilated.
What should be done?
The standard workup includes:
- Whole Abdomen Ultrasound Scan with Trans-vaginal/Trans-rectal Ultrasound and Doppler study.
- Pap Smear
- Routine blood/urine tests.
If these tests indicate results that are outside the normal range, then further specialized tests eg – CT / MRI – Venography etc may be suggested by your health care specialist.
- A pelvic ultrasound is usually the 1 st test suggested as it gives an excellent picture of the uterus, ovaries and surrounding areas.
Can it be treated?
Yes, there are medicines to cure this condition. Consult your health care specialist once you are diagnosed with PCS for further management.
Standard medical treatment includes psychotherapy, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs for 3-6 months.
As with most medical conditions, the importance lies in the correct and timely diagnosis of this painful condition in order to be treated completely.
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