Pain in the pubic bone

The pubic bone is one of the components of the pelvic bone. It is paired and, connecting with a cartilaginous disc, the bones form a symphysis (pubic symphysis). Pain in the pubic bone is often caused by pathological processes occurring in the joint, and not in the soft tissues.

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What causes pubic bone pain?

1. A fracture of both or one pubic bones, caused by a direct strong blow to this area, or by compression and displacement of the pelvic bones. Such an injury is often received by victims of car accidents. In this case, the pain in the pubic bone worsens when trying to change the position of the legs and during palpation (probing). Also, the patient, being in a lying position, cannot raise his straightened legs due to severe pain. If, in addition to a fracture of the pubic bone, there are also bruises of the bladder, then the pain in the pubic bone is also accompanied by a violation of the urination process.
2. During pregnancy, women's bodies secrete a large amount of the hormone relaxin. Under its influence, the pelvic bones and joints soften. This happens so that the baby can easily move the mother's pelvis apart for its passage during childbirth. Sometimes, with an excess of this hormone, with a lack of calcium in the pregnant woman's body, or due to the peculiarities of the development of her musculoskeletal system, a woman experiences excessive softening of the joint, pain in the pubic bone appears, the process of movement causes difficulties, and a duck gait may develop. This disease is called symphysitis. The symptoms of the disease usually disappear on their own after childbirth.
3. The above-described pain in the pubic bone does not always occur during pregnancy. It can also appear after childbirth. The consequence will be symphysiolysis (significant divergence of the pubic bones, and sometimes even rupture of the symphysis). This is typical for rapid labor with a large fetus. The pain that a woman experiences with this disease is very strong and is felt even in the sacroiliac joint. The woman in labor should be at rest and with a bandage in the pelvic area. There is a high probability of relapse of the disease with repeated births.
4. Infectious and inflammatory processes affecting parts of bone tissue (osteomyelitis) can cause inflammation of the pubic symphysis if they affect the pubic bone. Because of this, the symptoms of the disease are very similar to those that appear with symphysitis in pregnant women.
5. Pathological deviations in the development of the pubic bone, when it takes an elongated flat shape and prevents access to the vagina during sexual intercourse or examination by a gynecologist. During sexual contact, a woman experiences pain, since the partner's penis puts pressure on the periosteum and presses the urethra against the rib of the pubic bone. The pain is constantly recurring, due to which the woman tries to avoid sex.
6. Pain in the pubic bone can also affect a man. In men, it is often associated with the presence of a hernia in the inguinal region. If the pain is in the center of the pubis, then chronic prostatitis may be manifesting. However, then the pain can also affect the entire lower abdomen, lower back, pubis, sacrum. Sometimes it is difficult for the patient to understand where exactly he is experiencing pain.
7. If a woman has pain on the left or right side of the pubis, it is likely that she has a gynecological disease or urinary tract disease. The pain can be either sharp, abrupt, or weak and nagging.

Treatment for pubic bone pain

Treatment of this type of pain includes several points:

• special gymnastic exercises focusing on the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. For example, to perform one of the exercises, you need to get down on all fours and, keeping your back straight, inhale. While exhaling, the pelvic floor muscles should be squeezed and not unclenched for 5-10 seconds. You should not hold your breath, and you should not move your back. At the end of the exercise, the pelvic muscles should be slowly relaxed. This and similar exercises strengthen the muscles of the back and pelvis;
• manual therapy (gentle). It has a gentle effect on the muscles of the pelvis, hips and back;
• Physical exercises performed in water are very effective;
• if a woman is bothered by pain in the pubic bone, treatment can be prescribed by a gynecologist. Symphysitis is a common occurrence among pregnant women, doctors encounter it all the time, so a responsible gynecologist will definitely advise a woman how she should cope with the pain;
• acupuncture. This procedure allows you to get rid of pain in the pubic bone not only for women, but also for men. The procedure is almost painless, but very effective. The only thing you should consider when agreeing to acupuncture is to trust your body only to a doctor who has undergone special training in this area of treatment;
• consultation with an osteopath, chiropractor. These doctors know how to deal with pain of this nature, so their consultation will be extremely useful;
• wearing a prenatal bandage. This treatment method concerns pregnant women who suffer from pain in the pubic bone;
• percutaneous drainage. It is indicated for purulent symphysitis;
• local injections of glucocorticoids, NSAIDs - for osteoperiostitis;
• taking medications containing calcium.

Many pregnant women report relief after such an exercise as "lotus" or "butterfly". This exercise is also called "sitting cross-legged".

In addition, dry heat applied to the abdominal area, as well as ointments such as Lyoton, Venoruton, etc., can help relieve pain.

Pregnant women should avoid strenuous physical activity, lie down to rest more often with their legs stretched out, but they should also not forget about movement - despite the presence of pain, pregnant women simply need to move.

If you notice such symptoms, you should immediately contact a specialist (traumatologist; surgeon; urologist; gynecologist), since pain in the pubic bone cannot appear without a reason.