Fact Checked
Female pelvic pain is discomfort felt beneath the belly button of females. It is a minor ache that comes and goes. Sometimes, the pain is steady and intense that makes it difficult to sleep, work and enjoy life.
Causes of female pelvic pain
- Problems with the reproductive systems such as uterine fibroids, adenomyosis and endometriosis.
- Scar tissue or adhesions in the pelvic area
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic bladder irritation
- Problems with the ligaments in the pelvis, joints, muscles, lower back and hips
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Miscarriage
- Constipation due to bloating in the abdomen
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ovulation
- Menstrual cramps
- Ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer
Symptoms
- Mild pain that becomes severe
- Dull and sharp pain
- Pain when urinating and bowel movement
- Severe cramping during menstrual periods
- Pain with certain positions or postures
Treatment
- Use the prescribed medication to control or prevent the ovulation cycle to prevent making the condition worse.
- Take an antibiotic medication to lessen infections due to irritable bowel syndrome.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lessen the pain and the inflammation.
- Put heat on the affected area. Heat can in the form of a heating pad, hot water bottle and a warm compress placed on the lower belly. Heat increases flow of blood in the area and lessens the pain. Wrap whatever heat therapy is used using a towel or a thin cloth before placing to the area to prevent burns and worsen the condition. Another alternative is taking a warm bath is also good for the condition.
- Elevate the legs by placing a pillow under the knees to lessen the pain in the back. When lying on the side, bring the knees up to the chest also lessen the pain.
- Perform regular exercises to lessen the pain and for proper flow of blood in the area.
- Control of stress lessens the pain due to pelvic pain. Perform various yoga techniques and meditation to lessen the pain due to stress.
Additional measures
- Seek the help of the massage therapist to treat painful areas by pressing one of these areas for at least 20-30 seconds. This procedure is repeated several times during the massage. Massage relaxes the tension and lessens the pain. Massage the area at least every week for several months to lessen the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain.
- Take regularly the prescribed probiotic supplement with at least 10 billion live organisms such as Acidophilus and Lactobacillus is good for the condition.
- Take the prescribed Glutamine 100mg-200mg at least two times every day to lessen the symptoms of the condition. It provides food for the cells that lines the intestines and prevent leaky gut syndrome.
- Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols to lessen the pain and swelling of the area. Make a ginger tea by cutting an inch of ginger and add water. Boil it for at least 10 minutes, cardamom powder can also be added to the mixture which is a pain reliever. Drink the tea every to lessen the pain and the discomfort.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/women/ss/slideshow-pelvic-pain-causes
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-pain/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/pelvic-pain-female-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075