Women are prone to several pelvic issues due to the complexities of their reproductive system. Some of these issues may be caused due to fertility, childbirth, or hormonal fluctuations.
A weakened pelvic floor could cause several symptoms like urine leakages, painful sex, and acute pelvic pain. It is essential to identify and treat pelvic issues on time to avoid complications in the future.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leakage of urine. This could happen due to weakened pelvic muscles, injury, or childbirth. There are two types of urinary incontinence; stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
Stress incontinence typically occurs when there is pressure on the bladder while coughing, sneezing, or laughing. In contrast, urge incontinence is the sudden need to urinate, resulting in involuntary loss of urine.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when organs in the pelvic area, like the uterus, bladder, or rectum, sag and press against the vaginal walls.
The most common cause of pelvic organ prolapse is childbirth, where the vaginal muscles and tissues get stretched and weakened. It could also occur due to age, genetics, or hormonal imbalance. The symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse are discomfort when standing or sitting for prolonged periods, urinary incontinence, and painful sex.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain during periods.
This condition is caused due to hormonal imbalances, and the excess endometrial tissue could attach to other organs, leading to severe complications. Women with endometriosis may experience heavy bleeding during periods, fatigue, and painful bowel movements.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus, and they usually grow during the reproductive years. Although uterine fibroids are benign, they could cause several symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and painful sex.
The cause of uterine fibroids is not clear, but hormonal imbalances could be a contributing factor.
Irregular Periods
Irregular periods could be caused due to several factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, or weight fluctuations. Women with irregular periods may experience missed periods or heavy and prolonged bleeding.
Irregular periods could indicate serious underlying health disorders, and it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for advice.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods, and it could be caused due to various underlying health issues like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Painful periods could be a severe hindrance to a woman’s everyday life and could lead to several complications like mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis is the inflammation of the vagina, which could be caused due to an imbalance in the vaginal bacteria. The most common symptom of vaginitis is a foul-smelling discharge, which could be accompanied by itching and discomfort.
The leading cause of vaginitis is bacterial vaginosis, which is caused due to the overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction in women could occur due to a range of issues like vaginal dryness, hormonal imbalances, or psychological factors like anxiety or depression.
Women with sexual dysfunction may experience decreased libido, pain during sex, and difficulty reaching orgasm.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that could lead to several health complications like irregular periods, weight gain, and fertility problems. The exact cause of PCOS is not clear, but it could be caused due to insulin resistance or genetic factors.
Women with PCOS may experience excessive hair growth, acne, and mood swings.
Conclusion
Pelvic issues are not uncommon in women, and it is essential to identify and address them on time.
Some of the common pelvic issues include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, irregular periods, dysmenorrhea, vaginitis, sexual dysfunction, and PCOS. Consult a healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to avoid complications in the future.