How do I know if what I have is Pelvic Pain?

Women with Pelvic Pain often complain of one or more of the following symptoms:

Sensations of pain, burning, stinging or tearing at the opening of the vagina often made worse by:

• Wearing tight of restrictive clothing
• Sitting
• Touch
• Inserting a tampon, finger, penis, etc.

Pain, discomfort or aching deep within the vagina, often most noticeable during intercourse (sex) or sexual activity

• This discomfort may persist after intercourse or sexual activity

Pain with orgasm

Pain that intensifies

• With menstruation (your period)
• Increases in stress and/or anxiety

Pain around or above the pubic bone, deep in the low abdomen or within the vulva

Rectal pain

Pain during or after urination or a bowel movement

Urinary urgency, frequency or hesitation

 

Could my Pelvic Pain be called, or caused by, something else?

Common causes of Pelvic Pain and associated conditions include:

Vulvodynia/Vestibulitis          

Chronic yeast infections

Sexual trauma

Constipation

Interstitial Cystitis

Painful Bladder Syndrome

Levator ani syndrome

Reduced strength of external anal/pelvic floor/Kegel muscles

Soft tissue involvement

• Skin
• Muscles
• Nerves
• And the tissues that connect them

Joint involvement

• Joint misalignment
• Improper movement at the joints

 

Do I have to "just live with it"?

Some things to try on your own...

Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing

Gently stretch the muscles of the low back, hips, buttock and thighs

Deep breathing helps to quiet the stress response that often associated with pain

If your symptoms are mostly at the level of the skin:

• Wear all-cotton undergarments

• Wash your body with warm water and a mild soap only, avoiding using soap directly on the vulvar area

• Use a detergent free of dyes, enzymes or perfumes on any clothing that comes into contact with the vulva

• Ice packs can be very soothing to itchy or irritated skin.  Using a bag of frozen peas or other small vegetable may be more comfortable than an ice pack of large ice cubes.

 

If you are experiencing these or other symptoms between your navel and your knees, during intimate activities or during the course of the day, physical therapy may be able to help.  Research and clinical experience show us that pelvic pain syndromes are often related to the soft tissue and bony structures of the body between the navel and the knees.  Physical therapists are specialists in managing dysfunction arising from these structures.