Putting an End to Pelvic Pain and Abnormal Bleeding
Abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain are
common and can have many causes. One
possibility is uterine fibroids. These are
noncancerous tumors that grow within
the walls of the uterus. They are especially
common in women of childbearing age.
Fibroids can cause heavy periods, bleeding
between periods, and pain during intercourse.
Another cause of abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain could be endometriosis. This is when tissue that normally grows inside the uterus may grow on the outside of the uterus or on other organs in the pelvis or abdomen. Endometriosis can cause painful menstrual cramps and chronic, severe pain in the pelvis and lower back. Other symptoms include painful intercourse or painful bowel movements.
Irregular bleeding also can be caused by abnormal hormone levels or thyroid problems.
Many Treatments Available
There are many therapies available to treat these conditions. These include medicines that can help reduce bleeding and ease pain. In addition, some procedures can help control symptoms. These include ablation, for heavy bleeding—which involves removing the lining of the uterus—and embolization, for fibroids— which cuts off the blood supply to tumors and helps shrink them.If Surgery Is Needed
When pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding is severe, or when other treatments fail, a woman may choose to have a hysterectomy. This is surgery to remove the uterus.Hysterectomies are quite common—one in three American women has had this operation by age 60.
The different types of hysterectomies involve an incision through the abdomen, while others are performed through an incision in the vagina. The operation also may be done with smaller incisions and less invasive techniques.
After all types of hysterectomy, a woman stops having her period and cannot become pregnant. She also may have menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, if the ovaries are removed.
If you have pelvic pain or heavy or abnormal bleeding, be sure to see your doctor. Your doctor can help you find the cause and can work out the best course of treatment for you.
