Pelvic Pain: What you should know?
Every woman experiences pelvic pain due to one or other reason many times in their life. Sometimes pelvic pain may be hinting towards a major disorder, while other times it may be part of a normal menstrual cycle. Here you can read the possible causes and treatment of pelvic pain.
What is pelvic pain?
As you know, pelvic region refers to the organs in your lower abdomen. Organs in your pelvic area include womb, bowel, bladder, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina ovaries etc. A pelvic pain occurs due to irregularities or dysfunction of any of these organs. The pain in the pelvic region may be acute or chronic.
What causes pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain may be caused by any disorder, infection or condition related to urinary, reproductive or digestive system in woman. Pelvic pain is one of the major symptoms of diseases affecting the reproductive system in woman. It includes:
- Endometriosis: A common gynaecological disorder in which the endometrium (uterine lining) grows outside the uterine cavity.
- Dysmenorrhoea: The menstrual cramps accompanying the periods may turn severe in women sometimes.
- Ovarian torsion: Twisting or rupturing of the ovary caused by ovarian masses or cysts.
- Uterine fibroids: Non-cancerous tumours that grow inside the female reproductive system leading to heavy bleeding
- Ovarian/cervical/uterine cancer: A cancerous growth in the pelvic region
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: A common infection that occurs in the pelvic region
- Ovulation: A pelvic pain that lasts for a few hours may occur when the egg is released from the ovaries.
- Ectopic pregnancy: A condition in which the fertilised egg attaches itself anywhere outside the uterus and begins to develop.
- Miscarriage during pregnancy: Loss of pregnancy in the initial 24 weeks.
- Premature labour: Labour occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Placental Abruption: An emergency condition in which the placenta detaches from the uterus partially or wholly, before the baby is born.
- Chronic pelvic pain: The pain which lasts for more than six months. It can be caused due to history of accidents, physical abuse, chronic stress or depression etc.
Other reasons for pelvic pain
Apart from the reproductive organ irregularities, pelvic pain may occur due to irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis, adhesions, hernia, urinary tract infections, colon cancer, muscle or bone disorders, salpingitis, etc.
Treatment for pelvic pain
Pelvic pain treatment includes medication, surgery, and various other medical procedures. You should consult the gynaecologist in case of pelvic pain that occurs frequently.
Emergency medical attention is needed if you develop sudden pelvic pain. The doctor will do the diagnosis using routine lab tests, imaging tools, laparoscopy etc to find out the underlying reason of pelvic pain. The treatment will be chosen according to the cause of it.
Pelvic pain during pregnancy may not be a concern if it is mild and temporary. It may be due to the stretching of the pelvic muscles or change in the hormonal levels. But if severe pelvic girdle pain accompanied with vaginal bleeding occurs, seek immediate medical help.
