Pelvic Pain

Minor pelvic pain is common and is usually nothing to be concerned about. You might experience cramping during your period or occasional aches and tenderness.

There are times, however, when you should seek medical attention for pelvic pain. If pelvic pain comes on suddenly and is severe, call Women’s Health Center of Clarksville for an urgent care appointment.

You should also schedule a diagnostic exam if your pelvic pain seems to be increasing in severity or duration. If the discomfort gets in the way of your normal daily routines, it’s time to find answers.

One of the things that make pelvic pain challenging to diagnose is the fact that it is a symptom of so many different conditions. That’s why it is important to determine the source of your pain. Many serious gynecologic conditions respond to treatment better in the early stages.

Some potential sources of pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine fibroids
• Miscarriage
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Adenomyosis
• Gynecologic cancer

This is far from a comprehensive list. The only way to pinpoint the source of your pelvic pain is through a comprehensive diagnostic exam.

During the initial portion of your exam at Women’s Health Center of Clarksville, you discuss your symptoms as well as your personal and family health history. The more information you’re able to provide, the easier the diagnostic process becomes for your medical team.

A pelvic exam follows and gives your specialist a chance to check for tissue abnormalities. You might also be asked to provide blood and urine samples. Testing for sexually transmitted diseases can also be part of the process.

Ultrasound imaging can provide a picture of your pelvic organs to check for abnormal growths. Other imaging options include abdominal X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a camera and light to gather images of your pelvic organs. In some cases, during the same procedure, the removal of abnormal tissues is completed.