If you experience pain above your legs and below your belly button, it is considered pelvic pain. Many things can cause it. It can be a harmless sign showing you are fertile or an alert that you have to go to the hospital. If your pelvic pain interrupts your daily routine, you should seek medical help. You can choose to treat your pelvic pain in South Charleston, where the medical team ensures you go back to living your life fully.
What is pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain is usually a sign that a woman has a problem with one of the reproductive organs in the pelvic area. Although pelvic pain normally refers to pain in women’s internal reproductive parts, pelvic pain can occur during sex or from other causes. Pelvic pain can be a symptom of infection or can arise from pain in non-reproductive internal organs or pelvis bone.
Causes of pelvic pain
- Ovulation
If a woman happens to feel a painful sensation on one side of the pelvis during her menstrual cycle, she might be experiencing painful ovulation. When you ovulate, the ovaries release an egg, accompanied by other fluids. The egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The fluid released by the ovary spreads in the pelvic area, irritating the pelvis and causing pain.
- Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissues that line in the uterus grow outside the womb. Endometriosis can be a source of long-lasting, chronic pain in some women. When a woman’s period begins, the tissue outside the womb responds to hormonal changes and can cause inflammation and bleeding in the pelvis.
Some women experience severe and mild pain. Endometriosis can make it hard for some people to get pregnant. Healthcare providers can recommend treatment, depending on how severe your symptoms are.
- PMS and menstrual cramps
You can feel these cramps in your lower back or belly. They normally last 1 to 3 days. Every month, the uterus builds up a lining of the tissue. This is where the embryo can attach itself and grow. If you don’t get pregnant, this lining breaks and is shed during your period. When the uterus contracts to push it out, you get a cramp. You can try over-the-counter pain relievers and try a heating pad to ease the pain. De-stressing and exercising can help too. Some birth control pills or antidepressants can also help.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID is an infection in the uterus that can damage tissues around the pelvic region. PID can occur if bacteria from the cervix or vagina enter the womb and take control. It is normally a complication of a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Other than pelvic pain, women can experience other symptoms like bleeding and abnormal vaginal discharge. PID increases the risk of infertility. Taking antibiotics can help treat bacterial infections, but they cannot treat scarring, which shows that early treatment is important.
Pelvic pain is common in many women with various causes. It can be acute or chronic. Pelvic pain normally responds to over-the-counter medications and at-home treatments. It can be caused by many severe conditions that require a doctor’s attention. It is always important to see your doctor if you experience pelvic pain regularly.