Understanding your body and recognizing symptoms of pelvic pain and infertility can help you seek medical intervention and manage your reproductive health. Doctors offer testing that helps determine if endometriosis could be linked to your pelvic pain. Here are a few conditions that may require medical evaluation for pelvic pain and infertility:
Persistent Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain lasting for months can be an indication of an underlying medical problem. Chronic discomfort may be caused by fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, and tests like laparoscopy or imaging examine your reproductive organs to determine the potential cause. Early detection allows healthcare providers to recommend targeted treatments for pelvic pain and related conditions.
Unexplained Fertility Issues
Difficulty in getting pregnant within a few months of unprotected intercourse may be a sign of endometriosis or other underlying infertility issues. Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, potentially affecting the fallopian tubes and ovaries, reducing the chances of conception. Experts perform diagnostic tests to find obstructions or scarring. Tests and evaluations of your reproductive history give insight into what is hindering your pregnancy. Fertility treatments based on your test results can help you overcome certain issues.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Menstrual cycles that are outside the normal cycle range may indicate ovulatory dysfunction or hormonal imbalance that affects fertility. Irregular or missed periods may also indicate reproductive problems. Your healthcare providers can diagnose if uterine tissue disorders are the reason for your disrupted cycle. Treatments bring your cycle into a regular, more favorable rhythm for conception.
Issues With Infections
Past pelvic infections and STIs sometimes cause lingering complications. You may have scarring, adhesions, and obstructions in your reproductive tract that contribute to infertility. Tubal blockages prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs, while uterine scarring can impede implantation. Uterine tissue disorder detection tests look for structural abnormalities that explain your pain. Healthcare providers should be informed about any past genital, urinary tract, or abdominal surgeries that may have led to adhesions. Early medical intervention helps prevent or minimize progressing reproductive damage.
Abnormal Blood Loss
Endometrial implants are commonly found on the bladder and bowels. This means they trigger pain or abnormal function during menstruation. Do not ignore symptoms like painful urination, incomplete bladder emptying, or blood-tinged urine around your period. Painful bowel movements, diarrhea, or constipation that worsen each month warrant a screening test. Examining urinary and digestive issues alongside pelvic symptoms helps determine if endometrial growths are responsible. Surgical removal of implants alleviates pressure on the bladder and bowels for improved function.
Pre-existing Risk Factors
Certain pre-existing conditions may increase the risk for uterine fibroids, which can cause pelvic pain and infertility issues. Women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) should involve their providers even if symptoms remain mild. Young women with a family history of infertility should also involve providers for proactive care that offers clarity around their reproductive health. Early evaluation and management can help address potential complications and improve reproductive outcomes.
Difficulties With Intercourse
Severe pain during intercourse, known as dyspareunia, occurs when areas of the pelvis have endometrial lesions. This pain may cause you to limit sexual activity or associate it with anxiety. Lesion removal surgeries can end intercourse discomfort by excising implants near sensitive pelvic nerves. Hormonal therapies suppress lesion growth and reduce dyspareunia, increasing your reproductive health. Treating endometriosis-related dyspareunia can improve both physical comfort and quality of life.
Seek Treatment for Endometriosis Today
Medical services providers guide patients to the right reproductive specialist for diagnosis of endometriosis or other chronic conditions. Discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider can clarify reproductive health concerns and guide treatment options. Talk to a provider about your symptoms today.
