What Causes Pelvic Pain in Women?
Pelvic pain can happen to all sexes, and it might stem from infections, abnormalities in internal rgans or pain from the pelvic bones. Treatment options for persistent pelvic pain depend on the cause.
Understand what pelvic pain is and what causes pelvic pain in women. You might not want to miss this blog because we are going to cover the topic in-depth.
What is Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain often refers to pain in the region of the reproductive organs of women, but it can happen in all sexes and stem from other causes. It might be a symptom of infection or arse from pain in the pelvic bone. Here is what pelvic pain is in women:
- Pelvic pain in females is pain in the lower abdomen, below the belly button, involving pelvic bones, muscles, and organs like the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and intestines.
- It can range from dull aches to sharp cramps, often cyclic with periods, but can signal serious issues like endometriosis, fibroids, UTIs, STIs, appendicitis, ovarian cysts, or IBS, requiring medical evaluation, especially if severe or persistent.
- It feels like a dull ache or heavy pressure. The pain comes and goes or is consistent. Pain during exercise, urination or other physical activites can signal pelvic pain.
- Common causes might include gynaecological issues, gastrointestinal issues, urinary problems and nerve-related issues.
You must get consulted at a “Women’s Health Clinic near me”.
Causes of Pelvic Pain in Women
| Menstrual Pain and Cramps | Cramps during your menstruation are a common cause of pelvic pain. Over half of individuals who menstruate will experience some pain for at least 1 to 2 days each cycle. Menstrual cramping typically occurs immediately before periods begin, as the uterus contracts and sheds its lining. The pain may feel similar to a muscle spasm or jabbing pain. |
| Ovulation | If you are experiencing a painful sensation on one side of the pelvis during the middle of your menstrual cycle, you may be experiencing mittelschmerz. This term (mittelschmerz) is often used by healthcare professionals to describe painful ovulation. When an individual ovulates, the ovaries release an egg and some other fluid. The egg will then travel down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. The fluid released by the ovary can enter the abdominal cavity and pelvis, causing irritation. The discomfort may last for minutes to hours, and may switch sides of the body. The pain is temporary and requires no specific treatment; however, it is recommended to get checked up if the pain is sharp or occurs at other times during the menstrual cycle. |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) | It is an infection in the womb that can damage the surrounding tissue. PID can arise if bacteria from the vagina or cervix enter the womb and take hold. It is usually a complication of an STI, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Females may experience other symptoms along with pelvic pain. These other symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding. |
| Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infections | Cystitis refer to inflammation in the bladder due to a bacterial infection, and this happens because vagina, rectal or skin bacteria can enter the urethra and travel to the bladder. Whiel cystits occur only in the bladder, UTI can occur anywhere in the urinary system. |
| Endometriosis | It occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium or tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of the womb. It can cause chronic, prolonged pelvic pain in some women. When a woman’s period begins, the tissue outside of the uterus responds to the hormonal changes, which may cause bleeding and inflammation in the pelvic area. |
FAQs: Pelvic Pain in Women
Q1. What are the treatment options for pelvic pain in women?
Multi-faceted approach, including medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes (diet, stress management, heat, exercise), and therapies like acupuncture or counselling, with surgical procedure as an option for severe, unresponsive cases, often addressing the underlying cause, like IBS, endometriosis, or infections are included.
Q2. How long does pelvic pain last?
Pelvic pain duration varies. Acute pain lasts minutes to days, while Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain in the lower abdomen/pelvis lasting 6 months or longer, constant or intermittent, and often has complex physical, psychological, and social causes. If pain persists over two weeks or is severe, see a “Women’s Health Clinic near me” to find the underlying cause.
Final Thoughts
At CSMC, get your health checkup done by the professionals. We take care of your health and guide daily activites that can help lower the chances of complications during menstural cycle or other conditions. Also, for pelvic pain, discuss the complications and treatment options with the specialists.
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