Are you experiencing unexplainable pelvic pain? It’s normal to feel small amounts of pain every so often, but if your pelvic pain is consistent, it might be time to seek help.
Having pelvic pain could be a sign of a larger problem. We’re here to talk about what it could mean. Read on to learn several potential causes of your pelvic pain.
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Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
One of the most serious potential causes of pelvic pain is pelvic floor dysfunction.
Your pelvic floor muscles impact your ability to use the restroom, get an erection, and have comfortable sex. When they’re dysfunctional, you can end up with serious issues.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, look for other common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. You may also feel pain in your back, have trouble with constipation, and feel as though you need to use the restroom frequently.
Pregnancy, over-using pelvic floor muscles, obesity, and advanced age can all be risk factors for developing pelvic floor dysfunction. Traumatic injuries to the pelvic area can also cause pelvic floor dysfunction.
There are several potential methods to treat pelvic floor dysfunction.
If your problem doesn’t stem from overuse, your doctor may recommend seeing a physical therapist for pelvic floor exercises. They may also recommend the best pelvic floor trainer.
Physical therapists may also do biofeedback. This is the most common solution to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Your doctor will prescribe stool softeners so your pelvic floor muscles don’t have to strain when you use the restroom.
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID) is a complication that can arise as a result of common sexually-transmitted diseases. It’s an infection of the reproductive organs.
People with PID may have no symptoms of pelvic pain at all, but more often than not, PID causes extreme pelvic pain. It can also cause unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, pain during intercourse, and a high fever.
When left untreated, PID can lead to ectopic pregnancies, infertility, abscesses, and even death. If you suspect that you have PID, see a doctor right away.
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Endometriosis
The tissue inside the uterus is called the endometrium. When that tissue grows outside of the uterus, you have endometriosis. Even though that tissue still thickens and breaks down during the menstrual cycle, it has nowhere to go because it’s outside of the uterus. This can cause severe pain and inflammation.
Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women in their childbearing years.
Common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, painful and heavy periods, fatigue, pain during sex, and even infertility.
There are treatment options for endometriosis that range from mild (hormonal birth control) to serious (a full hysterectomy). Talk to a gynecologist about getting an endometriosis diagnosis if you suspect that you have this condition.
Pelvic Pain: More Serious Than You Think
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain that won’t go away, it might be time to reach out to a medical professional. You don’t have to tolerate your pelvic pain. You have options.
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