Pelvic Pain Q & A
What Causes Pelvic Pain?
Women suffer from pelvic pain for a variety of reasons. Many women suffer from pain due to their menstrual cycle. Ovulation can cause pain as the egg is released as does menstruation itself, which most women experience as cramping. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is another possible cause of pelvic pain. PID is caused by an infection in the womb, in which there is a chronic or acute infection of the pelvic female organs. Cysts, polyps, and fibroids are common culprits of pelvic pain and abnormal or painful periods. If a woman experiences trouble with pregnancy such as placental abruption, premature labor, ectopic pregnancies, or miscarriage, one of the many symptoms is pelvic pain. Sometimes pelvic pain is caused by problems in the bladder or bowel such as cystitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
What Is the Difference Between Fibroids, Cysts, and Polyps?
These growths are all possible causes of pelvic pain and while there are similarities, they are all unique. Cysts are sacs or pouches that typically grow on the ovaries. Cysts are mostly fluid-filled, but some may also contain solid components. The type of cyst, benign or cancerous, depends on the sort of tissue the cyst wall is lined by and what the cyst contains. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that grow from the muscle wall of the uterus. While benign and common, fibroids can cause a variety of painful or bleeding symptoms, depending on their sizes and locations. Polyps are growths arising from the lining of the inside surface of the uterus, called the endometrium. They typically appear as fingerlike growths on the endometrium and cause some pain but mostly abnormal bleeding.
How Are These Conditions Treated?
The treatment for pelvic pain depends on the condition causing the discomfort. Whenever possible, the doctors at San Francisco Women’s Healthcare will use a conservative treatment such as painkillers or birth control pills. However, when necessary, they are able to perform minimally invasive laparoscopic treatments to remove growths like fibroids and cysts.The treatment again is individualized to the patient’s needs and desires.
