“Prickly Pear Cactus” for Chronic Pelvic Pain Awareness
Read about some causes of pelvic pain below.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Awareness Month occurs every September and uses a light green colored ribbon. The cactus leaves symbolize the ribbon color, and the thorns represent pain.
Chronic pelvic pain impacts the quality of life for those who suffer from it, to include issues with intercourse, using the bathroom, and certain daily movements. This condition has many causes, some of which are listed below.
Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. This can result in uterine tissue growing on the bladder, ovaries, or other organs near the pelvic region. This can lead to pain, heavy periods, and infertility.
Risk factors include different menstrual issues, such as first having periods at a young age, starting menopause at a later age, or having unusually light or heavy periods. Also consider PCOS, as many women with that condition do not have periods often enough, which causes inadequate shedding of the uterine lining. Using birth control that causes women to not menstruate can also have this issue, resulting in overgrowth of tissue.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the pelvic organs, including the Fallopian tubes, which is normally caused by sexually transmitted infections. Symptoms can include abdominal or pelvic pain, unusual vaginal discharge, and fever.
Risk factors include unprotected sex, or anything entering the vagina that can have harmful bacteria on it.
Uterine Fibriods are non-cancerous tumors that grow around the uterus. This can cause heavy periods, spotting, painful intercourse, lower back pain, and feeling abdominal fullness. Some of these symptoms can be explained by the fact that fibroids take up space inside a woman’s body, which presses on other organs.
Risk factors include age, obesity, family history of fibroid, race (African American), high blood pressure, and vitamin D deficiency.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause various GI issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. This added pressure on the pelvic area can cause pain.
Risk factors for IBS are not well known, but family history can increase your risk of developing IBS. Sometimes IBS can be caused by SIBO, which is a small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
Interstitial Cystitis affects the bladder by causing irritation, and even stiffening of the walls of the bladder. Think of the bladder as a water balloon; if you fill it, and release the opening, the sides shrink back in as the water is emptied. If the walls of the balloon are stiff, the water cannot be squeezed out properly. Considering the bladder, any urine left in it can lead to irritation and infection.
Some people with this condition feel the urge to urinate every twenty minutes, and do not sleep throughout the night. I spoke to one person that finally found relief from having an electrical current applied to her ankle using an acupuncture needle- at least that was how she described it. Either way, it gave her incredible relief, until her insurance changed and her new carrier didn’t want to approve the treatment. This article may explain it better.
Risk factors include gender (women mostly affected), age, presence of other chronic pain disorders such as IBS, and even having fair skin and red hair.
Pelvic Floor Issues can cause problems with incontinence, pain, and prolapse. The pelvic floor is like a muscular sling that keeps organs in place in the pelvic area.
Risk factors include pregnancy, childbirth, chronic constipation, prostate cancer, and obesity.
Pelvic pain is nothing to be ashamed of, even though it isn’t as widely discussed as other health issues. The pelvic region is just another body part, just as any other body part that can become sick or damaged.
Treatment for each condition, as well as others not listed here, are unique for each disease. However, you can never go wrong with diet an exercise, even if its not perfect for every meal and every day.
Some treatments may include antibiotics, adjusting your diet for your own body, removal of tissue, physical therapy, or medication.
If these conditions affect you, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a doctor! If you know someone with these conditions, give them love, patience, and an ear to listen once in a while.
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