There are some types of pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area that do not subside easily even with medication. Sometimes this pain is unbearable. If you are also suffering from this problem, today we are going to talk about a special treatment for it. This is called the 'Hypogastric Plexus Block'.
Simply put, what is Hypogastric Plexus Block?
This is actually a special painkiller injection. Think of it like you have a nerve system that carries pain messages from your lower abdomen to your brain. What you do in this treatment is inject a drug into this bundle of nerves at the bottom of your spine (this is called the Hypogastric Plexus) .
When this injection is given, the pain information from those nerves to the brain is temporarily or permanently blocked . It's like turning off the pain switch. This significantly reduces the pain in your lower abdomen and pelvic area. Sometimes a single injection provides relief, while other times several injections may be given as needed.
What are the main types of this treatment?
Depending on the source of your pain, your doctor will decide where to give the injection. There are two main types.
| Type of treatment | Location and explanation |
|---|---|
| Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block | In this, the injection is given into the upper part of the nerve root in your lower back. |
| Inferior Hypogastric Plexus Block | The vaccine is given in the lower part of the spinal cord near your tailbone. |
What kind of pain does this vaccine cure?
This treatment is mainly used to control persistent pain in your lower abdomen and pelvic area. This includes pain in your following organs:
- Bladder
- Colon
- Lower intestines
- Prostate or testicles
- Uterus or ovaries
This treatment is usually recommended for long-term pain that is difficult to control with oral painkillers. It can be a very effective solution for pain caused by the following medical conditions:
| Medical condition that can cause pain |
|---|
| Cancer |
| Endometriosis |
| Damage caused by things like surgery or radiation therapy |
| Interstitial Cystitis - a painful condition of the bladder |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) |
| Pelvic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) |
How should I prepare before treatment?
Your doctor will give you some instructions to follow before this treatment. The main ones are:
- Avoid eating or drinking completely for a few hours before treatment .
- Some medications you are already taking (especially blood thinners) may need to be temporarily stopped on your doctor's advice. Never start or stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor.
- Since you will not be able to drive after treatment, it is essential to arrange for someone to pick you up and bring you back home.
- This treatment is performed by Interventional Pain Management Physicians, so you can ask them any questions you may have.
Let's learn step by step how the treatment works.
This is an outpatient treatment, meaning you don't have to stay in the hospital. This is how the entire process usually goes.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Calming | A sedative is given to you through a cannula placed in a vein in your arm. You won't fall asleep, but you will be relaxed. |
| 2. Correct posture | You will be turned and made to lie down on your stomach on a special bed equipped with an X-ray machine. |
| 3. Numbness of the area | The lower back area where the injection will be given is thoroughly cleaned and a small injection (local anesthetic) is given to numb the skin. |
| 4. X-ray guidance | Looking at the X-ray screen, the doctor very carefully inserts two needles into the correct nerve root. |
| 5. Location confirmation | To confirm that the needles are in the correct place, a special dye (contrast dye) is injected and examined with an X-ray. |
| 6. Injecting the drug | Once the location is confirmed, pain medication (a numbing medicine and/or a steroid) is injected. |
| 7. (Only if necessary) | For severe pain caused by conditions such as cancer, a substance such as alcohol or phenol can be injected to completely destroy the nerves and provide long-term relief. |
The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes . After that, you will be under observation for about 30 minutes, and you will be able to go home within about an hour.
What to expect after treatment?
After the treatment, your pelvic area may feel a little warm or "different." This is normal. Most people start to feel a decrease in pain within 30 minutes of the injection.
There may be some bruising or slight pain at the injection site for two to three days. This is normal. However, if you experience unbearable pain, inform your doctor immediately.
What are the benefits and risks?
The main benefit is that it relieves pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis. It also helps reduce the frequency of using oral painkillers.
Remember, the risk of complications from this treatment is very low. However, as with any medical treatment, there may be minor risks.
Among the possible complications:
- Allergic reaction to the medications used.
- Bleeding.
- Infection (fever, severe swelling or severe pain at the injection site).
- Damage to surrounding organs or blood vessels.
- Damage to other nerves outside the nerve root.
Recovery and pain relief time
After the treatment, you should go home and rest well. Avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours. You can resume your normal activities the next day. Restart any medications you stopped taking as directed by your doctor.
The duration of pain relief depends on the medication used.
- If only an anesthetic is used, the relief will last for a few hours or a few days .
- If a steroid medication is used, relief may last from several weeks to several months .
Depending on your condition, you may need several injections to achieve the best results. Your doctor will explain this to you.
When should you talk to the doctor?
Call your doctor immediately if the following symptoms occur:
- If the pain increases instead of decreasing or does not decrease.
- If you experience side effects such as fever, severe swelling at the injection site, or unbearable pain .
- If you feel weakness in your legs .
Living with constant pain can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health. So there's no need to "put up with" the pain. If you're not getting relief from regular treatments, talk to your doctor about these types of specialized treatments and choose the solution that's right for you.
Take-Home Message
- Hypogastric Plexus Block is a special injection treatment used to treat severe pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area that is difficult to control with other treatments.
- This is a very safe treatment that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes and can be done without having to stay in the hospital.
- It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions (such as avoiding food and drink, arranging transportation) before treatment.
- The duration of pain relief may vary depending on the individual and the medication used.
- If pain increases after treatment or if you experience unusual symptoms such as fever or swelling, notify your doctor immediately.
- Don't suffer in silence from persistent pain. Talk to your doctor about available pain management options.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment