Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is a complex condition, causing pain in the area below the bellybutton and between the hips (lower abdomen and back, glutes, sacrum and pelvis). It can have multiple causes and is considered chronic if the symptoms last six months or longer.

Some causes of chronic pelvic pain include:

• endometriosis
• interstitial cystitis – bladder pain syndrome
• musculoskeletal issues
• irritable bowel syndrome
• vulvodynia
• varicose-type veins around your uterus and ovaries
• other urogynaecological issues (fibroids, myoma, cysts, etc).

In many cases it’s not possible to identify a single cause for chronic pelvic pain. In that case, the goal of treatment is to reduce the pain and other symptoms and improve the quality of life. In the treatment of chronic pelvic pain exercises, manual therapy, TENS and education are commonly used.

Pregnancy-related pelvic pain

Some women develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is called pregnancy-related pelvic pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction.

Women with pregnancy-related pelvic pain may feel pain:

• over the pubic bone at the front in the centre
• across the lower back
• in the perineum area
• spreading to the thighs

The pain can be worse when you:

• walk
• go up and down stairs
• stand on 1 leg
• turning over in bed
• moving your legs apart (when you get out of car, etc)

These problems tend to get better after childbirth, but treatment from and experienced physiotherapist can improve the symptoms during pregnancy.