Pelvic pain occurs in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Pelvic pain in women can be the symptom of reproductive health issues. Apart from reproductive health issues, other problems such as IBS (Irritated Bowel syndrome) and other digestive and urinary system problems can also cause pelvic pain.
Whatever may be the intensity of the pain, Pelvic pain, especially in women should never be ignored. It may sometimes be caused due to major medical conditions which need emergency treatment. Pelvic pain can be acute or chronic. Acute means that it is the first time you have had this type of pain. Chronic means that pain has been a problem for a long time – more than six months.
Some common causes that cause Non-pregnancy related (Gyneacological) pelvic pain are:
Ovulation Pain:
Some women experience pelvic pain during ovulation. We call this as painful ovulation. A woman with this condition experiences the pain midway between the menstrual cycle. Hence, this condition is called as ‘MITTELSCHMERZ’, (middle pain). This ovulation pain is caused when the egg is being released. And it will generally go away in 24 hrs. The mild ovulation pain may not require any specific treatments. You can reduce the intensity of the pain using a heating pad. But if the pain in more intense, your doctor may prescribe some medicines. Anyhow, you can never decide yourself that the cause of the pain is ovulation until your gynecologist examines and confirms that it is just Ovulation pain.
PMS:
Many women experience PMS, PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. Women with this condition can also experience pelvic pain before the menstruation. Apart from menstrual pain, this woman may also experience back pain. This kind of pain can be kept in control with the use of proper medication.
Menstrual cramps:
Mild Pelvic pain during Menstruation is not a strange thing. However, there is a thin line of difference between normal period pain and some other serious pain. If the pain is very mild and lasts only for a day during your period, then you can relax. But intense pain or long-lasting pain should be taken seriously and get it checked by your gynecologist.
Ovarian cyst:
Ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sack that develops in/on the ovary. Most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign) and cause no symptoms. Some cause problems such as pain and irregular bleeding. Pain may happen when they burst (rupture) or twist (called torsion). So if you are experiencing dull or sharp aches in your lower abdomen or pelvic area, consult a gynecologist at the earliest.
Fibroids:
Fibroids are non-cancerous growth that can occur in/or the uterus of the women. These are most common among women in the child-bearing age and can be the cause of the pelvic pain. The specific reason for the occurrence of fibroids is unknown, and some women may not even experience any symptoms. Apart from pelvic and lower abdomen pain, the other symptoms of fibroid include painful periods, infertility, heavy bleeding and frequent abortions. Fibroids can be removed with proper medication or surgically.
Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue lies outside the uterus, whereas normally it lies inside the uterus. Endometriosis can cause persisting pain in pelvic area and lower abdomen. This is a condition found in women between the ages of 13 and 50. It is most commonly diagnosed in women in their thirties. It is more common in women who are having trouble conceiving. Symptoms of endometriosis can vary from mild pain to heavy bleeding during periods in this condition. Apart from pelvic pain, other symptoms are pain during sex and infertility.
Pelvic inflammatory disease(PID):
PID is an infection that affects your reproductive organs. The infection generally occurs due to sexually transmitted bacteria such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. This condition can cause pelvic pain that lasts for months or even years if not treated properly. It may also lead to infertility or Ectopic pregnancy. PID can also cause vaginal discharge with bad odor, pain during sex, pain during urination and fever. See a gynecologist immediately if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Some common causes that cause Pregnancy related pelvic pain are –
Miscarriage:
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy at any time up to the 24th week. The usual symptoms of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding and lower tummy (abdominal) or pelvic cramps. You may then pass some tissue from the vagina, which often looks like a blood clot. Contact your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any such symptoms.
Ectopic pregnancy:
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that tries to develop outside the womb (uterus). Usual symptoms include pain on one side of the lower abdomen or pelvis. It may develop sharply, or may slowly become worse over several days. It can become severe. Vaginal bleeding often occurs, but not always. It is often darker-coloured than the bleeding of a period. In case of any such symptoms, consult your Doctor right away.
Premature labour:
Normally, labour starts after 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Normal labour usually starts as tightenings felt across the lower abdomen. These become stronger, more painful and closer together. You may also have a ‘show’. This is the mucous plug from the neck of the womb (cervix). If you have a gush of fluid from the vagina, your water may have broken. You should contact your doctor immediately. If you have pelvic pains that come and go in a regular pattern, contact your doctor for advice.
Apart from above conditions Stones in Kidneys, Urinary Tract Infections, Appendicitis, IBS can also cause pelvic pain. So mild or severe, pelvic pain in many cases means a serious health issue. It is always recommended to seek the doctor’s help as soon as you experience any kind of pain in pelvic floor or Lower abdomen.
Rao Hospital with its most advanced treatments and complete gynecologic care has been named one of the best hospitals in this region for Gynecology. Further more, our team of certified doctors & nurses are guaranteed to provide you with the best in clinical care during your pregnancy planning, birthing, and beyond. Rao Hospital is also a pioneer in the field of Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic surgeries. We ensure safe and ethical practice, and assure you with best results. Undergoing surgery laparoscopically has many advantages such as fast recovery, high success rate, less hospitalization, scarless procedure, etc. If you are suffering from sharp pelvic pain during pregnancy or chronic pelvic pain, schedule an appointment with our Doctors today! (http://raohospital.com/)