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Chronic Pelvic Pain Treatment

Chronic pelvic pain is a prevalent medical condition affecting both men and women. It is characterised by persistent pain in the pelvic region, lasting for six months or more. This pain can be steady or intermittent, sharp or dull, and can vary in intensity.

Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options helps with effective management and improved quality of life.

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Treatment Options for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Medications

  • Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain remedies, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin, can provide partial relief from your pelvic pain. Sometimes, stronger pain relievers may be prescribed.
  • Hormone Treatments: If pelvic pain is associated with menstrual cycles, hormone treatments, such as birth control pills or hormone-releasing IUDs, can be effective. They can help regulate cycles or reduce the amount of menstrual flow, which can alleviate pain.
  • Antibiotics: If an infection is the cause of the pain, antibiotics will be prescribed. Patients should take the full course even if symptoms improve before the medication is finished.

Physical Therapy

  • Pelvic Floor Exercises: These exercises help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, which can alleviate pain and discomfort.
  • Biofeedback: This technique helps you understand and control physiological functions to reduce pain. It can be particularly useful if the pain is associated with muscle tension.

Nerve Stimulation Techniques

  • TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): This therapy uses a device to deliver electric pulses to the nerves, which can help alleviate pain. The intensity and frequency of the pulses can be adjusted to suit the patient’s needs.

Surgery

  • Laparoscopic Surgery: This minimally invasive surgery involves making small incisions in the abdomen to insert a camera and instruments. It can be used to identify and remove abnormal tissues or treat conditions like endometriosis.
  • Hysterectomy: In severe cases where other treatments have failed, and if the pain is linked to the uterus, removal of the uterus might be considered. This is a significant decision and is usually a last resort.

Alternative Therapies

  • Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It’s believed to help reduce pain by altering pain pathways and releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
  • Chiropractic Care: Adjustments or manipulations by chiropractors can help alleviate pain, especially if it’s linked to the musculoskeletal system.
  • Massage Therapy: This can help relax tense muscles in the pelvic region, improving blood flow and reducing pain.

The effectiveness of treatments can vary from person to person. What works for one individual might not work for another. Therefore, a tailored approach, often combining multiple treatments, is usually the most effective. Regular consultations with healthcare professionals ensure that the treatment plan remains optimal for the patient’s condition.

Prevention and Self-Care for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Lifestyle Changes

  • Balanced Diet: Consuming a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can promote overall health and may help alleviate some causes of pelvic pain. Certain foods might trigger pain in some individuals, so it’s beneficial to identify and avoid those triggers.
  • Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity can help strengthen the pelvic muscles, improve blood flow, and release endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can be particularly beneficial.
  • Stress Management: Chronic stress can exacerbate pelvic pain. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help manage and reduce stress levels.

Over-the-counter Pain Relievers

  • Non-prescription medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol can offer temporary relief from pelvic pain. However, use them as directed and ensure they don’t interfere with any other medications being taken.

Warm Baths and Heat Therapy

  • Warm Baths: Soaking in a warm bath can help relax tense muscles in the pelvic area, providing relief from pain.
  • Heat Therapy: Applying a warm compress or a heating pad to the pelvic area can help alleviate pain. Ensure the heat is not too intense and to place a cloth between the skin and the heat source to prevent burns.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

This involves working with a physical therapist to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor muscles. It can be beneficial for those whose pain is associated with muscle tension or dysfunction.

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Conclusion

Chronic pelvic pain can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. However, with a comprehensive understanding of its causes and available treatments, it is manageable. For those experiencing this pain, consult with your doctor to determine the best treatment approach.

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Dr Lee Fang Jann image

Dr Lee is a urologist and kidney transplant surgeon with a broad-based expertise of all urological disorders

He has subspecialty focus on men’s health and male infertility, and special interest in minimally invasive prostate enlargement therapy and kidney stone treatment. Dr Lee has received numerous awards for service excellence such as the Service With A Heart Award (2006-2008, 2011) and the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (2016).

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Singapore)
  • Membership of The Royal College of Surgeons (Edin)
  • Master of Medicine (Surgery) (Singapore)
  • Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine (Urology)
  • Clinical fellowship at Oxford Transplant Centre in the UK
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Prior to entering private practice, Dr Lee served in the public sector for 16 years at SGH, where he initiated dedicated clinics evaluating and treating patients with complex men’s health and fertility issues. He also led the Renal Transplant Program and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy service as Surgical Director.

Apart from clinical work, Dr Lee is active in academia and believes in the importance of grooming the next generation of doctor. He was Senior Clinical Lecturer at NUS’ Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and currently, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Medical School. Dr Lee is also regularly invited to share his experiences locally and regionally through lectures, workshops and surgical demonstrations.

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3 Mount Elizabeth, #11-16 Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the main cause of chronic pelvic pain?
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    Chronic pelvic pain can have multiple causes, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and interstitial cystitis.

    How is chronic pelvic pain diagnosed?
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    Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging tests or laparoscopy.

    Are there any home remedies for chronic pelvic pain?
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    Warm baths, heat therapy, and certain over-the-counter pain relievers can offer temporary relief.

    How effective are surgical treatments for chronic pelvic pain?
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    The effectiveness of surgical treatments varies based on the underlying cause of the pain.

    Can chronic pelvic pain be cured?
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    While some causes of chronic pelvic pain can be treated and cured, others can only be managed to reduce symptoms.