Pelvic pain--pain felt below your belly button and between your hips--may be a symptom of another disease or can be a health condition in and of itself. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center states that the pain may be due to either gynecological or non-gynecological causes. While the Mayo Clinic states that pelvic pain typically affects more women than men, it is a condition that can affect both genders depending on the cause.
Endometriosis
A gynecological cause of pelvic pain, endometriosis is a condition that causes the tissue of the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus rather than inside as is meant to do. This results in the tissue attaching itself to structures in your pelvis such as your fallopian tubes, ovaries and intestines, causing a great deal of pain for those who suffer from it. This is a reproductive issue that solely affects women.
While these tissues have grown abnormally, hormones still function normally, and menstrual cycles occur every month. However this is when the pain may be at its greatest, for when the tissues of the uterus begin thickening and breaking down, it is unable to exit the body through the vagina as it is meant to. Instead, it becomes trapped in the abdomen, resulting in cysts and scar tissue over time. As the Mayo Clinic explains, these cysts and scar tissue can cause even greater pain in the long run.
Pelvic Adhesions (Scar Tissue)
Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs together, according to UCSF Medical Center. Because this is considered a gynecological cause of pelvic pain, it typically affects women. These adhesions can be caused by a variety of things, such as prior infections like pelvic inflammatory disease. This disease is the result of a long-term infection, typically a sexually transmitted disease that causes scarring.
Endometriosis also causes these adhesions, as well as abdominal surgery like an appendectomy or hysterectomy.
In many cases, these adhesions are difficult to diagnose unless the uterus and ovaries are bound by this scarring. In these cases, they can be found during a pelvic exam. Otherwise, surgical exploration such as a laparoscopy is needed for a definitive diagnosis to be made.
Musculoskeletal Reasons
The UCSF Medical Center states that musculoskeletal reasons are some of the most common causes of pelvic pain, however they are commonly overlooked. Just as with any other part of the body, the joints, muscles and nerves located in the pelvis are susceptible to injury.
The tissues can be torn or cut during childbirth, making this a cause of pelvic pain for women, while the muscles can become too weak or too tight from lack of use or injury, making this a cause for both genders. Depending on the injury, the joints, muscles and nerves may be the sole cause of the pelvic pain or the pain can be a symptom.
For instance, if there is tension in the muscles, it can lead to painful spasms in the pelvic floor, which leads to recurring pain. In addition, tight bands of muscles, known medically as trigger points, can be tender when touched and can result in the pain being felt not only in the pelvis, but elsewhere in the body such as the lower back and abdomen.
Psychological
Psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety, can be both the cause and effect of pelvic pain, and affect both men and women. According to both UCSF Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic, those who are depressed, suffer from chronic stress or who have been sexually abused are at an increased risk for suffering from pelvic pain.
While the pain itself may be a symptom of depression or anxiety, these conditions can also aggravate the pain, making it worse. If you feel you may be suffering from either of these psychological disorders, the UCSF Medical Center recommends seeking help immediately; it may make a difference in the pelvic pain you experience.
