User:Mr. Ibrahem/Pelvic pain

Pelvic pain is pain between the region of the hips. The pain can be acute, meaning it is is of sudden onset, or chronic, meaning it remains present either intermittently or continuously for a prolonged period of time. If the pain lasts for less than 3 month it is generally classified as acute; while if it last more than six months it is generally classified as chronic. Depression may worsen symptoms. It is separate from perineal pain.

Causes of pelvic pain may relate to the female reproductive organs, the gastrointestinal or urinary tract, or structures near the pelvis such as the lower aspect of the aorta. Common causes related to the female reproductive organs include menstrual cramps, endometriosis, and fibroids; while serious causes include ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ovarian torsion. Common causes related to the gastrointestinal tract include irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, constipation, and colon cancer. Other serious causes include appendicitis. Common causes related to the urinary tract include bladder infections, kidney stones, and interstitial cystitis. Other causes include fibromyalgia, abdominal wall muscle injury, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Chronic pain may also occur following sexual abuse.

Diagnostic work up includes the history of symptoms and physical examination and may be supported by laboratory testing and medical imaging. A pregnancy test is recommended in all women who could potentially be pregnant. Worrisome findings include fever, vaginal bleeding after menopause, low blood pressure, and peritonitis.

Pelvic pain can affect both women and men though chronic pelvic pain most commonly affects women. About 2% to 24% of women have pelvic pain unrelated to their menstural cycle, 8% to 21% have pain with sex, and 17% to 81% have pain with their periods. Chronic pelvic pain occurs in at least 6 to 27% of women.