Abdominal and Pelvic Pain

Abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or urogenital pain will affect 1 in 5 women and 1 in 12 men at some stage in their life. It is a condition that is rarely discussed and one that can have a significant impact on quality of life. Many people suffer for years before finding help.

Abdominal or pelvic pain can be a warning of acute or chronic tissue injury to the internal organs. It can also be a chronic condition without a readily identifiable cause as it is difficult to diagnose via a scan or a blood test.

By the time a sufferer of chronic abdominal or pelvic pain is referred to a pain specialist, they may have received multiple expert opinions from many experts and have undergone numerous procedures or surgeries, many with little or no success.

Possible causes of abdominal and pelvic pain include:

• Problems with abdominal organs – including Pancreas, Liver, Spleen, Ovaries, Uterus, Stomach, Bowel, or Bladder
• Abdominal angina (mesenteric ischaemia)
• Referred pain from other areas (including the spine)
• Post-surgical adhesions (including post hernia repair)
• Neuropathic pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gynaecological: levator ani spasm, pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis Pelvic Pain Syndrome (often associated with lower urinary tract, sexual, bowel or gynaecological dysfunction)

Potential symptoms

• Poor sleep
• Weight loss (or gain)
• Difficulty with activities of daily living
• Relationship issues
• Dyspareunia (Painful sex)
• Period Pain
• Tachycardia (racing pulse)
• Excessive perspiring
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Referred pain

Recommended treatments

• Medication – especially:
  • Antineuropathic agents
  • Analgesics
  • Anti-emetics
  • Anti-spasmodics
• Physical therapy – including stretching and exercise, and women’s health physio for some pelvic floor issues
• Radiofrequency neuromodulation in the form of pulsed radiofrequency or radiofrequency ablation
• Nerve blocks or plexus blocks with certain medications may be appropriate
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Sacral/peripheral nerve field stimulation
• Some abdominal or pelvic pain may be due to illness or dysfunctions that require referral to other specialties including Gastroenterology, Gynaecology, Oncology, and Surgery

QPain are actively involved in ongoing research and multi-centre clinical trials to ensure priority access to the latest therapies for our patients. We are at the forefront of advanced technology, including Spinal Cord Stimulation and Regenerative therapy, in the treatment of chronic pain.

Find out more about our advanced pain treatments and let us help you get back to living life. Call us or make an appointment today.