Pelvic Pain

What causes pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is identified as discomfort of varying degrees that occurs below the belly button and can be caused by numerous issues, including:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Uterine fibroids
• Urinary tract or bladder issues such as interstitial cystitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diverticulitis
• Pelvic floor disorder

What is endometriosis?

The endometrium is the membrane that lines the uterus and thickens during the menstrual cycle to provide nourishment for a developing embryo. If you do not become pregnant, part of this lining sheds via your menstrual period and then thickens again as your cycle repeats itself.

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue lining the uterus also grows outside the uterus, sometimes on the outer uterine wall and other pelvic organs such as the fallopian tubes. This tissue also thickens and then sheds blood into your pelvic region as your cycle occurs. This cyclic bleeding causes varying degrees of inflammation and irritation and may be quite painful. Treatment may include hormonal manipulation with medication or surgery to remove the endometrial tissue causing the symptoms.

What is PID?

PID is a generalized infection of the reproductive organs that’s often caused by an untreated STD such as gonorrhea or chlamydia and typically treated with antibiotics. When left untreated this condition can result in scarring that may interfere with your ability to become pregnant.

Symptoms of PID include:

• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Fever
• Malodorous discharge from the vagina
• Pain and bleeding with sexual intercourse
• Burning with urination
• Irregular vaginal bleeding between periods

What is pelvic floor disorder?

Advancing age, childbirth, and other conditions such as obesity can cause weakening of the muscles holding your pelvic organs in place. This can cause organs such as your uterus or bladder to drop out of place or descend toward the vaginal canal.

Symptoms of pelvic floor disorder include:

• Pelvic pain
• Pain with urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Constipation
• Discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse
• Stress incontinence, urine leakage when coughing or laughing

Treatment includes conservative measures such as Kegel’s exercises to improve muscle tone in the pelvic floor region or pessary placement to reinforce the vaginal wall and help support the pelvic organs. Surgery often can help with bladder issues causing stress incontinence.