By Louis Neipris, MD, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth content provided by You feel the pain somewhere below your navel. Ita constant dull pain and gets worse during menstruation. On some days, bad ITSO has to miss work. You may recall that I had an infection for many months, but his doctor gave him antibiotics for it. However, you still have pain. If this sounds familiar, you may have a condition called chronic pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain is frustrating, because often the exact cause can be found. The diagnosis can be a long process of quot; excluirquot, and other conditions. Finding the best treatment can take time. But there are options to help relieve your pain. � How is chronic pelvic pain Your doctor will tell you about your medical history and symptoms, in addition to their personal health history and sexual. Then the doctor will carefully examine the abdominal and pelvic areas and do a rectal exam. If you feel pain or sensation in any part of the exam, talk. These are clues to the possible cause of their symptoms. The doctor will probably do some other tests. You can take a pregnancy test to rule it as a possible cause for pelvic pain. Other blood tests can also be made. Your doctor may also test a urine sample for infections such as urinary tract infection. Cultures can be taken to control sexually transmitted diseases. Then, your doctor may suggest a transvaginal ultrasound. This involves placing a tube into the vagina. The probe sends sound waves to a machine to create images of structures inside the pelvis. If further tests, a CT scan or MRI may be suggested. What are the causes of chronic pelvic pain Underlying conditions that can lead to chronic pelvic pain include ovarian cysts. Fibroids. These are noncancerous tumors in the uterus. Endometriosis. Tissue lining the uterus through leakage of the fallopian tubes and implanted into the pelvis or other areas. During his tenure, the loss of tissue responds to hormones such as the lining of her uterus, causing pain and bleeding in the abdomen and pelvis. The scar tissue. Healing after surgery or adhesions, or infection can leave scars. Infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted diseases can cause pain. Muscle spasm. The pelvic muscles can cramp or spasm. Urinary tract problems. This can include interstitial cystitis. Bowel problems. This may include irritable bowel disease. More serious. This can include cancer. Very often, the cause of chronic pelvic pain can be found. � How is chronic pelvic pain Treatment depends on what cause, if any, can be found for chronic pain. Your doctor may have you take medications to help control pain. These may include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Take them only as your doctor. If the pain is related to ovulation or menstrual periods can help stop ovulation with contraceptive pills. Hormones or other treatments may be used to treat endometriosis. If scar tissue is causing the pain, a surgical procedure to release the scar tissue can be suggested. If the pain is related to fibroids, your doctor may suggest a hysterectomy, removal of the uterus. This is usually a last resort for chronic pelvic pain, however. Preparing for your visit Itimportant tell your doctor how pain interferes with your life. Tell your doctor if you are depressed, chronic pain can often lead to depression. Is a pain that will keep him at night Have you missed work or loss of sleep due to pain Has had to reduce the activity The answers to these questions will give your doctor important information to help decide the best treatment for you. Here are other tips to help prepare for your visit: Get a copy of your medical history and take it with you. Tell your doctor about previous surgery or genital tract infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted diseases. Come prepared to talk about your pain. You may want to write the details, such as: When the pain began. What activities cause pain, such as exercising, lifting or intercourse. When the pain. Itquite common to have generalized pain. It may not be able to point to a specific point, but it is important to share with your doctor. When pain occurs. The pain may come and go on with their periods. Is the pain just before or about the time of your period In the middle of your cycle Also, tell your doctor of the date of your last period and if your periods are regular, irregular or heavy. Do you have pain during defecation � You have pain when urinating or having a full bladder See the original Women and chronic pelvic pain article myOptumHealth.com SOURCES: National Information Center WomenHealth. FAQ: Hysterectomy. Lentz GM. The differential diagnosis of major gynecologic problems by age groups: vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic mass. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Katz: Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier, 2007. Ortiz DD. Chronic pelvic pain in women. American Family Physician. 2008, 77 (11) :15351542, AW 1544 Bagley, Trent M. Pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Rakel RE, Bope ET, eds. Rakel: ConnCurrent Therapy 2008, 60th ed. Philadelphia, PA: SaundersElsevier, 2008. br These websites are for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You can not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified provider of health care. Also check with your doctor before starting any medications or supplements or beginning or modifying any exercise program. br 2009 OptumHealth, Inc. All rights reserved. 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