Read this article till the end to find out about 10 common pelvic conditions every female should know about.
1) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the major causes leading to infertility. It is a hormonal disorder in which ovaries produce more male hormones (androgens) than normal which leads to ovarian enlargement and development of a cyst.
Symptoms include:
• Irregular menstruation
• Excessive hair growth on the face, abdomen, thighs, chest
• Multiple small cysts on one or both ovaries
• Thinning of hair or baldness.
• Oily, acne-prone skin or dandruff.
• Thickened dark brown or black patches on the skin
2) Uterine Fibroid:
Uterine fibroid is the noncancerous and usually asymptomatic growths inside the uterus. Fibroids increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, and other pregnancy problems. They usually require no treatment as they shrink on their own when menopause starts.
Symptoms include:
• Heavy or painful menses or bleeding between periods.
• Fullness in the lower abdomen.
• Frequent urination.
• Pain and discomfort during sex.
• Lower backache.
3) Endometriosis:
Endometriosis occurs when the normal endometrial tissue which lines the inside of the uterus grows at other places in the body. While fallopian tubes and ovaries are the most common sites it can spread to any other part of the body, including the lungs. It occurs most commonly in childbearing age. It leads to pelvic adhesions or scar tissue, which can cause severe pain and binds organs together.
Symptoms include:
• Pain in the abdomen, lower back or pelvic areas that may occur during sex, bowel movements, urination, and menstruation.
• Infertility
• Heavy menstruation
4) Gynecologic Cancer:
• Cervical cancer begins in childbearing age. Thanks to Pap smears, it can be diagnosed and treated early. But the treatment often leads to infertility.
• Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer” as it remains asymptomatic until the disease has reached a late stage. Symptoms include:
-Backache
-Increased abdominal size
-Difficulty eating and weight loss
-Urinary incontinence and frequent urination
• Uterine cancer is the commonest type of gynecological cancer. Obesity, Family history, Long-term use of oral contraceptives is the risk factors. Symptoms include:
-Abnormal bleeding and spotting
-Vaginal discharge
-Spotting after menopause
5) Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
STDs including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes (HSV) as these diseases are transmitted from one person to another through sexual intercourse. Causes of STDs include bacteria, virus, and parasites. STDs can cause a serious problem for the baby if you have them during pregnancy.
Symptoms include:
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Spotting between periods
• Painful urination and/or sexual intercourse
• Fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting
If you have STDs your doctor can treat it with antibiotics and several other medications. It’s your duty to inform your partner about it in order to stop it from spreading. Untreated, STDs can lead to problems like Infertility, Blocked fallopian tube, Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus), etc.
6) Dysmenorrhea:
Dysmenorrhea is severe menstrual cramps that keep you from performing your normal day to day activities. It usually occurs before the period starts.
Symptoms include:
• Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, and the inner thighs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches and dizziness
Treatment includes hormonal treatments such as birth control pills and vaginal rings, pain killers, or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The warm heat pad can help in relieving the symptoms.
7) Ovarian Cysts:
Ovarian cysts are fluid or tissue-filled sacs formed in ovaries. Small cysts remain asymptomatic while large cysts as they put pressure on surrounding organs lead to dull to sharp abdominal pain, bloating and pressure. Most cysts disappear of their own and do not require any special treatment. Your doctor can prescribe OCPs to stop the growth of cysts and other medication such as pain killers for the pain. But in some cases, cyst burst and bleed leading to severe pelvic pain which will require emergency medical attention.
8) Interstitial Cystitis:
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder inflammation leading to recurrent discomfort or pain in the bladder. Interstitial Cystitis can cause scarring and stiffening of the bladder.
Symptoms include:
• Abdominal or pelvic discomfort.
• Urgency and Frequent urination.
• Tenderness.
• Intense pain in the bladder or pelvic region.
• Severe lower abdominal pain before and after micturition.
• Painful sexual intercourse.
9) Vulvovaginitis:
It is the inflammation of the vulva and vagina. Improper hygiene or irritants such as soaps and detergents can lead to it. Symptoms include redness, itching in vulva and vagina and discharge of fluid from the vagina.
10) Female Sexual Dysfunction:
Sexual dysfunction includes conditions such as painful, unsatisfying or lack of interest in sex. So, if you are not happy with your sexual life or you are having a problem with conceiving you might be having sexual dysfunction. It can lead to infertility or vice-versa.
