Pelvic pain is pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis.
Numerous diseases and various health issues have the potential to trigger pelvic discomfort, and chronic pelvic pain can arise from multiple underlying conditions.
The pain may originate within the digestive, reproductive, or urinary systems. Additionally, it can stem from specific muscles or ligaments, such as straining a hip or pelvic floor muscle.
Another potential source of pelvic pain is nerve irritation within the pelvic region.
Causes
Possible causes in women
Pelvic pain might be caused by problems linked with organs in the female reproductive system. These problems include:
- Adenomyosis
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine fibroids
- Vulvodynia
Pregnancy complications might lead to pelvic pain, including:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Intrauterine fetal death, or the loss of a pregnancy after 20 weeks.
- Miscarriage
- Placental abruption
- Preterm labor
Pelvic pain also may be caused by symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle, such as:
- Menstrual cramps
- Mittelschmerz
Other possible causes in women or men
Other health conditions may cause pelvic pain. Many of these problems start in or affect the digestive system:
- Appendicitis
- Colon cancer
- Constipation
- Crohn's disease
- Diverticulitis
- Intestinal obstruction
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
Some problems in the urinary system that may cause pelvic pain are:
- Interstitial cystitis
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Pelvic pain also might be due to health issues such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Inguinal hernia
- Past physical or sexual abuse.
- Pelvic floor muscle spasms.
- Prostatitis
Nursing Interventions
Assess the patient's pain. Nurses can use a variety of tools to assess the patient's pain, including pain scales and pain diaries. This information can be used to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Provide pain management. Nurses can provide patients with medications and other treatments to relieve their pain. They can also teach patients about self-management strategies, such as heat therapy and relaxation techniques.
Identify the underlying cause of the pain. Nurses can work with other healthcare providers to identify the underlying cause of the patient's pain. Once the cause is identified, treatment can be initiated.
Monitor the patient's pain. Nurses can monitor patients for changes in their pain level and overall health. They can also monitor the effectiveness of treatment and make adjustments as needed.
Here are some additional nursing interventions that can be used to manage specific symptoms:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding: Nurses can teach patients about ways to manage heavy menstrual bleeding, such as using iron supplements and menstrual cramps.
- Pressure on the bladder or bowels: Nurses can teach patients about ways to manage pressure on the bladder or bowels, such as avoiding caffeine and spicy foods.
Educate the patient about the causes of pelvic pain. Nurses can provide patients with information about the different conditions and injuries that can cause pelvic pain.
Identify any risk factors. Nurses can work with patients to identify any risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, and a history of certain medical conditions.
Promote healthy lifestyle choices. Nurses can encourage patients to make healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.
Teach patients how to manage their pain. Nurses can teach patients about self-management strategies, such as heat therapy, relaxation techniques, and pain medication.
Support patients emotionally. Pelvic pain can be a very stressful and frustrating condition. Nurses can provide emotional support to patients and help them to cope with the stress of their condition.
Help patients to find resources. Nurses can help patients to find resources, such as support groups and pain management clinics.
By providing education, support, and interventions, nurses can help patients with pelvic pain manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.