Between your belly button and the top of your legs there is quite a bit of area. Importantly, that vicinity is home to numerous organs that you need to function. That’s one reason you need to investigate pain in the area.
Dr. Marsha Bornt and her staff at Apple Hill Gynecology help women understand why they are experiencing pelvic pain and provide effective treatment whenever possible. Not all causes of pelvic pain have a clear cause, and sometimes the problem requires a different specialist to get proper treatment.
Your pelvis is home to organs that are part of your digestive system, urinary tract, and your reproductive system. Additionally, your musculoskeletal system could be related to pain you feel in the area.
Problems with any of those organs, systems, or structures could result in pelvic pain. In women, pelvic pain could be caused by issues with your menstrual cycle or your vagina, cervix, uterus, Fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
Problems with your bladder, urethra, rectum, or appendix can also cause pelvic pain. The muscles, ligaments, and other tissues that support the organs in your pelvis can also be a source of pain.
Finally, sometimes the underlying cause of pain is actually situated outside the pelvis, but close by. For example, your kidneys aren’t in your pelvis, but a problem with them, such as a kidney stone, could cause pelvic pain. The same is true for your intestines and your abdominal wall.
Given all the possibilities, identifying the cause of your pelvic pain can be a process. Sometimes, doctors can’t identify a cause at all — but that doesn’t mean you aren’t feeling the pain!
Women have complex reproductive systems, and lots of things can result in pain. For example, menstrual cramps, which are common, are a type of pelvic pain. Other possible causes of pelvic pain include the following:
Not all the conditions that cause pelvic pain require medical care — you don’t need to go to the doctor every time you have menstrual cramps. But, if those cramps are painful enough to disrupt your day-to-day activities and are accompanied by other symptoms such as heavy bleeding or passing clots, you should see your doctor.
Many of the gynecological conditions that cause pelvic pain can be effectively treated. In some instances, not seeking treatment can lead to increasing, and even life-threatening, problems. For example, if an ectopic pregnancy advances too far, your Fallopian tube could rupture, leading to hemorrhage.
If you’re dealing with pelvic pain, schedule an appointment at Apple Hill Gynecology, so Dr. Bornt can help you get to the root of the problem.
