Pelvic Pain? It Could Be Fibroids

Most women experience pelvic pain at some point in their lives; it may be something that comes monthly with menstruation, or it could be a once-and-done acute problem that goes away without treatment.

Pelvic pain can be scary, though, especially when it doesn't seem to let up no matter what you try. In many cases, pelvic pain isn't something to worry too much about, but you shouldn't let it go either. An experienced OB/GYN evaluation quickly gets to the bottom of the problem.

Dr. Darin L. Weyhrich is an OB/GYN in Boise, Idaho, who provides women’s care for issues like pelvic pain and uterine fibroids. Dr. Weyhrich offers diagnostic tools like ultrasounds and bloodwork to figure out what's causing your pelvic pain and to provide customized treatments for long-term relief.

What causes pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain is an issue that can happen in both men and women, but it's more prominent in females. It usually occurs in the lower portion of the abdomen where the reproductive organs sit.

Women may experience pelvic pain infrequently due to other problems like gas, constipation, or even stress. However, when it becomes more frequent and other symptoms accompany it, there may be a more significant issue.

For women, pelvic pain has many causes, including menstrual cramps. Other prevalent issues that lead to pelvic pain include:

• Ovulation
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Urinary tract infections

Uterine fibroids are another common cause of pelvic pain among women. Most of the causes of pelvic pain aren't life-threatening, but you shouldn't put off treatment if the discomfort persists with home care.

The facts on uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are one of the many causes of pelvic pain, but what are they? A fibroid is a noncancerous growth inside or on the uterine walls. They often range in size and may grow alone or in clusters.

Most uterine fibroids are simply tumors that contain muscle and other tissues. They may not cause any symptoms at all or could lead to severe discomfort. Although a little scary, fibroids are very common in women and often don't cause serious problems.

Different fibroids exist depending on where they are and how they attach to the uterine walls. The primary forms of fibroids are submucosal, intramural, subserosal, and pedunculated.

What other symptoms come with fibroids?

You would think that a uterine growth would cause pain and symptoms, but that's not always the case. Small fibroids may not cause any discomfort at all, while larger ones may lead to symptoms such as:

• Chronic vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Painful menstruation
• Excessive bleeding during periods
• Abdominal fullness or bloating
• Low back pain
• Pain during sex
• Frequent urination
• Inability to urinate or fully empty your bladder

Pelvic pain is another common complaint among women living with uterine fibroids. It may be severe, intermittent, or happen most of the time. If you suspect a uterine fibroid based on your symptoms, it's crucial to seek treatment.

Treatment for pelvic pain and fibroids

The treatment you need depends on the size of your fibroid and your symptoms. If you're not experiencing much discomfort, Dr. Weyhrich may suggest monitoring it or using over-the-counter pain relievers.

More severe symptoms may require more aggressive treatment. If you still want to have kids or don't want invasive treatments, Dr. Weyhrich suggests medications like birth control to help with symptoms and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists. These medications shrink the fibroid, often before a surgical procedure.

If medications don't help or your symptoms are severe, Dr. Weyrich may suggest a hysterectomy, especially if you don't want any more children. However, there are fewer invasive techniques we can use, including a myomectomy to remove the fibroid and uterine fibroid embolization.

Call our office today in Boise, Idaho, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Weyhrich for pelvic pain or fibroids. You may also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.