Pelvic pain is familiar to many women of reproductive age. It can occur before and during periods. But the main thing is that this pain is usually mild and can be eliminated with the help of pain medications.
If you experience pelvic pain that is not linked with periods, it can be a sign of a certain medical condition. That's why it is better to make an appointment with your gynecologist for a thorough diagnosis. In this article, we have gathered eight gynecological disorders that can cause pelvic pain.
1. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus that is called the endometrium starts to grow outside the uterus on pelvic organs. Some women with developing endometriosis don't experience any symptoms while others may suffer from severe pain. In most cases, endometriosis causes pelvic pain that intensifies during periods.
2. Urinary tract infection
Even though urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect both men and women, it is more likely to develop in women. The point is that UTI occurs when the bacteria from your anus penetrate the urethra and bladder. The most common symptoms of UTI include pain during urination, pelvic pain, cloudy urine, and urgency to urinate.
3. Ovarian cysts
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovaries. In some women, ovarian cysts can appear and disappear asymptomatically while other women can experience severe pelvic pain and other symptoms. It is important to treat ovarian cysts or at least monitor your condition since ovarian cysts can burst and cause severe complications.
4. Ovarian torsion
Ovarian torsion is a condition in which the ovary twists around itself. If you have ovarian cysts, you are more likely to develop this condition. Ovarian torsion is extremely painful and should be treated immediately. Otherwise, the blood supply to the ovary decreases, and tissues can die. Surgery is the only way to treat ovarian torsion.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition in which the pelvic organs become inflamed. It occurs when the vaginal infection like some STIs or bacterial vaginosis were not treated in time. PID symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, fever, and fertility issues. If you were diagnosed with PID that is caused by STIs, your partner or partners should be tested for STDs.
6. Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a condition that occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside of the uterus. In most cases, ectopic pregnancy develops in the Fallopian tubes. As the egg grows, it stretches the fallopian tube and can even lead to its rupture. This usually results in severe pelvic pain. Ectopic pregnancy should be treated surgically as soon as possible to avoid dangerous consequences.
7. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that occur in the uterine walls. When fibroids are small, they can develop asymptomatically and may not require any treatment. But if fibroids become large, they can cause pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, lower back pain, irregular periods, spotting, pain during sex, and even fertility issues. Fortunately, uterine fibroids can be easily treated by a gynecologist.
8. Cancers of the reproductive system
There are a few types of cancer that can affect the female reproductive system. The most common of them are cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer. In the initial stages, cancers of the reproductive system don't cause any severe symptoms. But when cancer spreads and affects a lot of tissue, a woman can experience spotting, pain during sex, painful periods, and pelvic pain.
The bottom line
Due to the fact that the number of conditions that can cause pelvic pain is quite significant, it is important to avoid self-treatment. If you experience pelvic pain, it is better to make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
