When you suffer from pelvic pain, it can be a scary experience. It’s only natural to wonder what is causing your pelvic pain. There can be a simple, benign cause, or pelvic pain can be caused by a more serious condition.

Pelvic pain can be caused by your reproductive system, digestive system, or urinary system. There are some types of pelvic pain that can be caused by muscles or ligaments surrounding your pelvis.

Fortunately, your OBGYN doctor can determine the cause of your pelvic pain and treat it so you can get relief.

Some simple causes of pelvic pain include:

• Ovulation
• Menstruation
• Pregnancy
• Bladder infection
• Urinary tract infection

If you have extremely painful or heavy periods, your OBGYN can prescribe medications, including birth control, to help regulate your periods.

If you think you might be pregnant, your OBGYN doctor will have you take a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your doctor will perform an initial examination, which may include imaging to determine a potential due date. Your OBGYN doctor provides a wide range of prenatal services to help you have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

If you have a urinary tract or bladder infection, your OBGYN can prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.

Some more serious causes of pelvic pain include:

• Uterine cysts
• Ovarian cysts
• Fibroids
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Endometriosis

Your OBGYN doctor may require imaging studies to diagnose your condition. Imaging tests include:

• An MRI
• A CT scan
• An abdominal or pelvic ultrasound

If you have uterine cysts, ovarian cysts, or fibroids, your OBGYN doctor can prescribe medication and offers procedures to remove the cysts.

If you have an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, your OBGYN doctor may discuss surgical options with you.

If you have endometriosis, your OBGYN doctor may recommend taking birth control or your doctor may discuss a partial or full hysterectomy to relieve symptoms.

Your OBGYN doctor is an expert at the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pelvic pain. To learn more about what can cause pelvic pain and how your doctor can help you get relief, call your OBGYN doctor today.