In every woman’s life, menopause is one of the common phases. 45 to 55 is the age at which menopause happens. If there is a pause in the menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, she is considered postmenopausal. While many women think that pelvic cramps will fade away after the menopause period, some individuals go through pelvic cramps after menopause. Further, let’s dive into this blog to know the connection between pelvic cramps and menopause.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the end mark for the menstrual cycle in a woman’s life. This is the natural biological process that happens in every woman. Menopause hits women when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and produce lower levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes lead to the end of monthly periods and the ability to conceive naturally. Menopause causes various physical and emotional symptoms, including mood swings, and it disturbs sleep. Some women will face changes in hair, skin, and bone health due to menopause.
What are the symptoms of pelvic cramps that occur after menopause?
Women may assume they will be free from pelvic cramps, discomfort, and abdominal pain, after menopause, but some may experience unexpected symptoms such as pelvic cramps. Unlike menstrual cramps during reproductive years, pelvic cramps after menopause can indicate underlying causes. There are a few reasons for pelvic cramps. It causes minor problems like digestive issues to serious gynecological issues. The symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Radiating pain.
- Bloating and pressure.
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
If you face these symptoms, visit the best gynecologist in Coimbatore for better treatment.
What causes pelvic cramps after menopause?
Several factors can cause pelvic cramps after menopause. After the menopause period, ovaries produce less estrogen, which leads to changes in pelvic organs and causes pelvic cramps. These changes cause cramping.
Endometriosis is one of the main causes of pelvic cramps after menopause. This condition is usually linked to menstruation. Some women continue to experience symptoms even after menopause. Scar tissue from the past can cause pelvic cramps. Pelvic organ prolapse is the major cause of pelvic cramps after menopause. The estrogen level reduces during menopause, and the pelvic muscles may weaken. It allows organs like the bladder and uterus to move from their original positions, which causes pelvic cramping.
Irritable bowel syndrome or constipation comes under the gastrointestinal issues that contribute to pelvic cramps after menopause. Hormonal shifts during menopause affect digestion and gut health. Some individuals experience increased bloating, gas, and cramps.
What is the role of hormonal changes in contributing to pelvic cramps?
The important role of estrogen is maintaining the health of pelvic tissues. It not only maintains the uterine lining and bladder walls. The estrogen level will be low after menopause, and it involves thinning of vaginal and bladder walls, which leads to more infection or irritation. It weakens the pelvic floor muscles and increases the risk of prolapse. Changes in the hormone slow down the digestion process, which contributes to cramping from constipation or bloating. These effects can cause pelvic cramps.
Could pelvic cramps after menopause be a symptom of gynecologic cancer?
Sometimes pelvic pain comes under menopause symptoms. Pelvic cramps after menopause should be treated properly. Rarely it remains as a symptom of gynecologic cancer. Sometimes individuals will face mild discomfort in the pelvic area, which is linked to non-cancerous conditions such as constipation and muscle strain. After menopause, the reproductive system undergoes some changes, and the risk of certain cancers may increase.
What is the right time to seek medical help for pelvic cramping?
We should never ignore pelvic pain, especially when there are severe, unusual symptoms. Regular worsening cramps that occur for several weeks should be treated properly. If pelvic cramps interfere with our daily life routine, sleep, or quality of life, these are the indications to seek medical help. If you are experiencing postmenopausal bleeding, weight loss, bloating, or digestive changes with cramps, this may be a sign of gynecologic cancer or ovarian cysts. Urinary tract infection (UTI) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), these diseases come along with fever, chills, or pain during urination, which needs immediate medical attention, on those times you need to get pelvic pain treatment in Coimbatore for better results.
What are the tests commonly used in the diagnosing process?
Medical History and Symptom Assessment: The discussion will be based on the patient’s medical history and disease, and the current symptoms are also important.
Physical and pelvic examination: Physical examination allows healthcare providers to access the reproductive organs for abnormalities like masses or signs of pelvic organ prolapse.
Imaging studies: This technique is important for visualizing internal structures. Some of the imaging studies are:
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: This is the process of inserting the ultrasound probe into the vagina to derive images of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This provides high-resolution images and is particularly useful in complex cases.
What are the treatment options available for treating pelvic cramps?
Further, let’s see some common treatments for pelvic cramps:
- Pain relief medications.
- Hormone replacement therapy.
- Calcium supplements.
- Antibiotics.
Some of the physical therapies are:
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy.
- Core strengthening exercises.
- Postural correction therapy.
Conclusion
Understanding the causes and symptoms of pelvic pain can improve the treatment process and give better results. Pelvic pain after menopause is one of the serious health conditions, but there are many treatment options available to cure pelvic cramps. Holding hope during the treatment process is also important for a quick recovery process.