Understanding Causes of Pelvic Pain

What causes of pelvic pain could be contributing to your discomfort? Unfortunately, it's not always easy to know, since pelvic pain is a common symptom for many conditions affecting women. So, to help y ou get the right diagnosis, and get some relief, today's post reviews some top causes of pelvic pain, helping you narrow down potential culprits.

Causes of Pelvic Pain: Could it be Uterine Fibroids?

As fibroid specialists in Dallas, this is one of most common causes of pelvic pain we see. Remember, fibroids are muscular tumors that form within the uterine cavity or uterine walls, or attached to the uterus via stalk-like growths. Fibroids can cause cramping in between periods among other symptoms. Many women experience fibroid symptoms that include pelvic pain. And, if you are diagnosed with these tumors, you may be able to find relief with Uterine Fibroid Embolization, a non-surgical treatment available at the Dallas Fibroid center.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain because, with this condition, endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Additional symptoms include heavy bleeding during periods, which often makes it harder to know if you have fibroids or endometriosis.

PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

With PCOS, a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries, small cysts develop on their outer edges. Aside from pelvic pain, symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods; facial hair growth; acne; obesity; and increased risks for conditions such as endometriosis and IBS.

Adenomyosis Causes Pelvic Pain

Adenomyosis causes pelvic pain when endometrial tissue grows within the uterine walls, causing it to enlarge and press against other organs. The condition also makes your periods painful, as blood must travel through both your vaginal canal and your uterine walls.

This condition is so difficult to diagnose that one Australian woman lived with painful, heavy periods for 30 years before finally getting an accurate diagnosis. But once doctors identified her adenomyosis, the could treat her with uterine artery embolization (UAE), a treatment also available in our Dallas office.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

A PCS diagnosis means you have varicose veins in the lower pelvis and abdomen. But, unlike with other causes of pelvic pain, PCS pain feels like chronic ache, note sudden or cyclical pain. Our interventional radiologists can treat PCS uwith Pelvic Vein Embolization (PVE), a treatment that's now in clinical trials to treat all forms of pelvic venous disease (PeVD) (a term that describes multiple conditions, including PCS and May-Thurner syndrome), along with Ovarian Vein Embolization (OVE).

By now, it should be clear that there are many causes of pelvic pain. As such, there are multiple pathways to relief. But, to choose the right one, you must first accurately diagnose the cause of your discomfort. Already experiencing pelvic pain? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your symptoms. Then, if fibroids, adenomyosis or PCS are to blame, request a consultation with our Dallas specialists to discuss minimally invasive treatment options.