Pelvic pain is pain that occurs in the regions below the belly button and between the hips. This pain can be sharp, dull, mild or severe. In fact, it can be acute and resolve on its own or can be chronic and last for more than six months. Specific symptoms of pelvic pain include heaviness or pressure within the pelvis, pain with intercourse, pain with sitting and pain when having a bowel movement. The causes of pain in the pelvic region can be treated.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled tissues on the ovaries that lead to such symptoms as pelvic pain during sexual intercourse and pelvic pain prior to the start or end of a period. Ovarian cysts also lead to vomiting, nausea, breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, stomach fullness and rectal or bladder pressure.
In fact, two types of ovarian cysts exist: follicular and corpus luteum cysts. Follicular cysts refer to a follicle (an egg-containing tissue) that continues to grow in the ovaries because a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) doesn't signal it to rupture out of the ovaries (ovulation). The corpus luteum refers to the remaining tissue that exists when the follicle releases the egg. Sometimes, the tissue seals and fluid accumulates in the corpus luteum.
Treatment for an ovarian cyst involves simply monitoring the cyst regularly with a pelvic ultrasound. Doctors will determine whether the cyst is growing. Other treatments involve taking birth control pills to prevent new cyst development. Sometimes, surgical removal may be necessary to remove the cyst.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis refers to a medical problem in which endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) infiltrates the uterine muscle. Specific symptoms of adenomyosis include a stabbing pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea), heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse and bleeding between periods, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of adenomyosis is unknown. However, caesarian sections and childbirth may make women predisposed to this medical condition.
Treatment for adenomyosis involves taking such anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen to control the pain. Other treatments involve controlling the menstrual cycles with hormone therapy. As a last resort, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) may be needed.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in which the female reproductive organs become infected. According to FamilyDoctor.org of the American Academy of Family Physicians, specific symptoms of PID include pelvic pain during sexual intercourse, a pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen, low back pain and painful urination. PID also causes menstrual irregularities and yellow or green vaginal discharge.
Antibiotic medications are used to treat PID.
