Natural Treatment Solutions for Pelvic Pain

It is estimated that 15% of women of child-bearing age in the United States have experienced pelvic pain of at least 6 months in duration. Pain can range from acute sudden onset attacks, recurrent attacks of pain that may or may not be related to a woman’s menstrual cycle to chronic persistent pain that lasts longer than three to six months or more. The sensation of pain can be anything from stabbing, wrenching or twisting pain to more mild dull aching. Depending on the severity and chronic nature of pain, it can affect a woman’s overall ability to cope with everyday life. She may experience changes her mental and emotional being which may cause strain on relationships and can affect her ability to work or take care of her children. She may also notice changes to her sleep patterns, her desire to eat, ability to engage in physical activities and motivation in general. Since the symptoms can include everything from the physical to the psychological, a holistic treatment approach such as acupuncture and Chinese medicine coupled with counseling and physical rehabilitation exercises is the ideal approach.

There are several conditions that can lead to pelvic pain, including:

• Endometriosis – a condition in which the lining of the uterus colonizes outside of the uterus on other tissues of the body. This tissue continues to be influenced by the hormones that regulate menstruation in the female body and as such continue to grow in size throughout the month and then slough with menstruation causing bleeding at the site of these tissue deposits.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease – this is inflammation of the female genital tract that can be caused by various infectious agents as well as internal factors and is often accompanied by fever and lower abdominal pain.
• Interstitial cystitis – a urinary bladder condition which is characterised by pain in the lower abdomen or upon urination and increased frequency of urination with a sensation that there is always some urine that has not been expressed or a feeling of pressure in the area around the bladder
• Ectopic pregnancy – this is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate intervention. This occurs when a fetus attaches and develops outside of the uterus.
• Ovarian cyst – a deposit of fluid or inert follicle surrounded by a very thin wall that develops within an ovary. These can range in size from something smaller then a pea to as large as a lemon or orange.
• Inflammatory bowel disorders – these include colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and crohns. The pain experienced with each of these can be persistent but is more commonly experienced in recurrent attacks or flare ups. Food sensitivities and allergies may also contribute to inflammation of the digestive tract and result in pelvic pain.
• Previous abdominal surgery or infection – in the healing process following abdominal surgery or infection, it is possible to have adhesions form between adjacent tissues which can limit movement within the abdomen and cause pain with certain activities.
• Muscular or myofacial pain – this is pain that arises in the musculature of the pelvic area and can be a result of trauma, over use, exercise, child labour and others.
• Cancers – cancers of the reproductive and urinary system are possible and may cause pain depending on the size and area affected.