What causes right pelvic pain?

For women, the pelvis is very important. After all, the pelvis is the most important reproductive organ for women. Therefore, the health of the pelvis directly affects all aspects of women, such as health and sexuality. However, some women may experience right-side pelvic pain in their lives. What causes this symptom? At this time, we need to consider whether there is endometriosis or cystitis.

1. Endometriosis

How common is this symptom? 5 million women suffer from it.

What is endometriosis? It is the growth of viable endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and the bleeding occurs at the same time as the endometrium during the monthly menstrual period.

Premonitory symptoms: severe cramps in the waist and legs during menstruation.

How it’s diagnosed: A biopsy (removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope) is done using laparoscopy (a minimally invasive procedure).

Best treatment: First-line treatment for endometriosis includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, birth control pills, and other hormonal drugs that shrink the endometrial tissue. Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive surgery to remove or destroy the endometrial hyperplasia, or, in severe cases, a hysterectomy may be necessary.

2. Interstitial cystitis

Is this symptom common? A recent survey found that 3 million women suffer from this symptom.

What is interstitial cystitis? It is characterized by intermittent bladder discomfort, which may be caused by the breakdown of mucin, the surface of the bladder epithelium that protects it from excessive acid.

Warning signs: Women with IC feel like the worst UTI they've ever had, with burning and stinging as the bladder swells and when they urinate, which happens often, sometimes -- oops! -- as often as 60 times a day.

How it’s diagnosed: To rule out other medical conditions that could cause the same symptoms. Your doctor will test your urine for bacteria to rule out a urinary tract infection and examine your bladder with a thin, narrow tube called a cystoscope; if necessary, a biopsy of the bladder wall may be done to rule out cancer.

Best treatment: Amilor, the first oral medication developed specifically for IC, adheres to the surface of the bladder epithelium and takes 6-9 months to fully exert its efficacy. Other drugs that may completely cure patients include antihistamines, various tricyclic antidepressants (for their analgesic properties), anti-epileptic drugs (increasingly the preferred drug for intractable pain), and other drugs that can be administered directly into the bladder.

3. Pelvic floor tension myalgia

Is this symptom common? Yes, but the frequency is unknown.

What is pelvic floor tension myalgia? Many factors, both physical (such as difficult childbirth) and psychological, can lead to chronic tension-type pain in the pelvic floor muscles that support the pelvic organs.

Premonition symptoms: Heaviness or pain in the pelvis; burning, itching, and pain in the vagina or urethra (the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body).

How it's diagnosed: An in-person physical examination by a doctor experienced in pelvic pain.

Best treatment: The most effective treatment involves pelvic floor physical therapy. It is equivalent to a set of vaginal exercises: it allows you to learn how to correct your pelvis and how to do core muscle stretching exercises to prevent pelvic floor muscle spasms. Botox injections can prevent muscle spasms by temporarily relaxing the muscles. Trigger point injections of an anesthetic (lidocaine) can help some women find relief.