If you suffer from chronic pelvic pain, there are many possible reasons for it, as well as ways to treat it.
Dr. Mohammad Islam, a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon with Banner Health Center in Phoenix, said chronic pelvic pain lasts for more than six months and occurs in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
One cause of the pain is endometriosis, which happens when the tissue lining the uterus grows outside on other organs, including the ovaries or bladder. Adenomyosis is like endometriosis in that it grows into the muscular layer of the uterus and thickens it. Women who have this condition might experience heavier and longer-than-usual periods, as well as pain during sex and cramping.
Ovarian cysts are another cause of pelvic pain. When one of a woman’s eggs fails to release, a growth called a cyst can form. Cysts can cause a dull and sharp pain radiating in the lower back, along with abdominal bloating, pressure or a sense of fullness in the pelvic area. Fibroids are benign or non-cancerous masses that can grow inside the uterus. They are very common in women and can cause excessive bleeding or cramping during a period, as well as constipation and pain during sex.
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