The pain usually means that something is not right in your body. Do you mostly feel the pain below your belly button and above your thighs? You could be experiencing Los Angeles pelvic pain, which is a symptom of a condition in your reproductive organs and urinary tract. Pelvic pain can range from mild to severe, thus requiring urgent care. Some conditions can affect men and women, but other causes are for women only. You can read the following discussion to learn about the possible causes of pelvic pain.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
You can develop an infection in your reproductive system, a pelvic inflammatory disease. The infection usually begins when bacteria enter your vagina and then travels to your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other reproductive organs. You will feel pain in your lower belly, characterized by tenderness or an achy feel. PID may also cause other symptoms, including vaginal discharge, painful and frequent urination, and fever. You should see your doctor if you develop such symptoms because it may cause infertility.
Rupture of Ovarian Cyst
You can easily develop a fluid-filled sac in your ovaries but with no symptoms or problems. However, if your cyst ruptures, you will develop pain in your lower belly on the side of your developed cyst. You will likely have a sharp pain that comes and goes. A cyst can also cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, bloating, and fever.
Uterine Fibroids
You can develop non-cancerous growths in your uterine wall, ranging from the size of a small seed to a large lump. Larger fibroids may put pressure on your pelvis and cause severe pain. You will likely have swelling in your lower belly and backaches. Uterine fibroids are usually common during the reproductive years.
Endometriosis
Your tissue lining may grow out of the uterus and into the other parts of your pelvis. Every month, the tissue will thicken and start shedding, but because it is outside your uterus, it will have nowhere to go. As a result, you will develop pain before and during your period. You can develop severe pain that increases with urination and painful sexual intercourse. You may also experience heavy menstrual bleeding and constipation with endometriosis.
Dysmenorrhea
Lower abdominal cramping during your menstrual period is common, and the discomfort comes from hormonal changes. While most abdominal cramps are mild, you may experience painful abdominal cramps called dysmenorrhea. The pain can be severe enough to hinder you from your daily activities.
Ectopic Pregnancy
When a fertilized egg grows inside the fallopian tube, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. The fertilized egg will continue to grow and may burst the fallopian tube, posing a life-threatening condition. You will feel a sharp, stabbing pain on the side of your pelvis.
Pelvic pain usually indicates a symptom of a disease in your urinary tract, reproductive organ, and pelvic nerves. Some causes are normal and will not cause problems, but others may be potentially serious and life-threatening. You can develop pelvic pain because of a UTI infection, irritable bowel syndrome, ovary pain, and premenstrual cramps. However, conditions like ectopic pregnancy may cause severe pelvic pain. The pain may accompany other serious symptoms like heavy bleeding, back pains, and vaginal bleeding. You want to know the possible cause of your pelvic pain so you can treat it to ease the pain.