Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain refers to pain in the
abdomen below the belly button. This pain can accompany a wide range of
conditions. It may be a harmless sign of fertility, a digestive disorder like
IBS, or a red flag for a life-threatening emergency.
Pelvic pain is a warning sign for some
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.) Two of the most common are chlamydia and
gonorrhea; they often occur together. They don't always cause symptoms, but
when they do, they may trigger pelvic pain, painful urination, bleeding between
periods, and abnormal vaginal discharge. It's important to seek treatment to
prevent serious complications and avoid infecting your partner.
One of the most serious complications of
STDs is pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. This infection can cause permanent
damage to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes (seen here, swollen and
red). In fact, it's the leading preventable cause of infertility in women.
Symptoms include belly pain, fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain during
sex or urination. PID is treated with antibiotics, and in severe cases,
surgery.
If you've had surgery in the pelvic or
lower abdominal region, such as an appendectomy or a C-section, or infection in
the area, you could have ongoing pain from scar tissue.
The first step toward getting your life
back is seeing your doctor for a diagnosis.
By...Belinda Yeboah
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