Most women know the familiar achiness and cramping that comes with their monthly periods, so pelvic discomfort isn’t alarming.
However, when mild cramps cross the line and transition into outright pelvic pain, it’s time to get to the bottom of it.
Our experienced gynecologist and obstetrician at Serrano OBGyn, Dr. Christopher Serrano, specializes in pelvic conditions and can diagnose and treat what’s behind your pain. One of the likely suspects is endometriosis, a disorder that causes uterine tissue to grow beyond the uterus.
Here’s an overview of endometriosis and signs you might have it.
Each month, the lining in your uterus builds up and thickens to accommodate a fertilized egg in case you conceive. If you don’t become pregnant, the lining — called the endometrium — sluffs off and exits with your period blood.
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue goes rogue and grows outside your uterus. It can grow around your ovaries, uterus, bowel, and bladder. This abnormal tissue can affect any area inside your pelvic cavity.
When you menstruate, your hormones fluctuate, causing the abnormal tissue to do what it normally does inside your uterus — thicken, bleed, and shed. However, when those events occur outside your uterus, it’s incredibly painful.
Over time, endometriosis can cause scarring and adhesions that lead to fertility issues.
Pelvic pain — more than mild aches and cramps — especially around your menstrual cycle is a classic endometriosis symptom. If your pelvic pain worsens during your period, endometriosis could be the culprit.
However, endometriosis symptoms don’t confine themselves to monthly menstruation. Endometriosis-related pelvic pain can occur anytime and include other symptoms, such as:
Symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. Your pain level doesn’t necessarily indicate the severity of endometriosis: Mild endometriosis can lead to severe pain, while severe endometriosis may cause no symptoms at all.
Pelvic pain isn’t normal. Call us whenever you have severe pelvic pain or any of the symptoms we listed. Endometriosis isn’t the only condition that causes pelvic pain, so it’s essential to determine the underlying cause.
Here are the signs you should call Dr. Serrano:
If you don’t know why you’re having pain and can’t ease it, it’s time to schedule an appointment at Serrano OBGyn.
If Dr. Serrano determines that endometriosis is the culprit behind your pelvic pain, he offers several treatments that can control or eliminate the problem, including medication, hormone therapy (birth control), conservative surgery, or hysterectomy.
If you’re concerned your pelvic pain is due to endometriosis, call Serrano OBGyn or book online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Serrano.
