Severe pain in the lower abdomen a few days before your periods is quite common. But if you suffer from frequent pain in the pelvic region, don’t just ignore it as it could be an initial sign of a pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. And in the worst case scenario, it could also be indicating genital tuberculosis. Hence, stop taking those over the counter (OTC) medications to beat chronic pelvic pain and consult your gynaecologist to rule out any serious health complications, says Dr Nupur Gupta, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Director Well Woman Clinic, Gurgaon.
1. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): It is mainly caused due to a bacterial infection of the pelvic region affecting the uterus, fallopian tube and ovaries. The bacteria usually enters from the vagina and infecst the ovaries and the fallopian tube, causing acute pelvic pain. Some of the common symptoms of the pelvic inflammatory disease are abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination and/or sex, severe menstrual cramps and lower back pain.
2. Pelvic infection: One of the most common causes of pelvic infection is sexually transmitted infections and/ reproductive tract infection. Not only this, even weakening of the pelvic muscles or joints might lead to severe pelvic pain. The symptoms that can indicate pelvic infection are pain during sex, recurring bowel infections, discomfort in the lower abdomen and feeling pressure on the bladder.
3. Endometriosis: In this condition, cells of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) tend to grow rapidly on other organs such as ovaries, bladder, etc. Known to cause infertility and various hormonal complications, endometriosis can be treated. Some of the common symptoms of endometriosis are painful bowel movements, spotting between periods, severe cramps on or before periods, rectal bleeding and pain during urination.
4. IBS: Although pelvic pain is mostly caused due to problems with the reproductive organs or the urinary tract, in some cases it can be due to an underlying condition of the intestine. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is characterised by diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence and incontinence could be a key reason for pelvic pain in women as well as men.
5. Urinary tract infection (UTIs): That women are more prone to urinary tract infections as compared to men is a known fact. However, not many women know that it can lead to severe to acute pain in the pelvic region. Mostly caused due to bacteria, UTI is characterised by frequent urination, pain or burning sensation while urinating, changes in the urine colour and consistency, foul smell of urine and lower back pain. Here's more on what your urine says about your health.
6. Genital tuberculosis: There is no known cause of pelvic tuberculosis or inflammation of the pelvic region. Also known as genital tuberculosis, it might be due to the transmission of the tuberculosis-causing bacteria to the reproductive area, namely uterus or vagina. The signs of genital tuberculosis include severe pain in the pelvic region, recurrent lower back pain, pain during urination and bloody urine.
7. Ectopic pregnancy: Unlike the usual pregnancy, where the embryo sticks to the uterus, in the case of ectopic pregnancy, it fails to do so. The implantation occurs in the fallopian tube, but sometimes, the embryo is expelled from the pelvic region such that it is partly in the fallopian tube and partly in the pelvic region. It might also lead to adhesion of the intestine, bladder or ovaries and development of blood mass in the pelvic region (hematocele). The symptoms include pain in the posterior pelvic region, loose motion, irritability and fever (in terminal cases).
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