Cause | Common Features* | Tests |
---|---|---|
Adenomyosis Uterine Adenomyosis In adenomyosis, tissue from glands in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The uterus becomes enlarged, sometimes doubling or tripling in size.... read more (growth of tissue that normally lines the uterus—called endometrial tissue—into the wall of the uterus) | Heavy, painful periods, vaginal bleeding between periods, pain in the lowest part of the abdomen (pelvis), and a feeling of pressure on the bladder and rectum Sometimes pain during sexual intercourse | Ultrasonography or MRI of the pelvis In women with abnormal vaginal bleeding, sometimes a biopsy to rule out other causes of bleeding |
Birth defects of the reproductive tract (rare) | Sometimes periods that never start (primary amenorrhea) Sometimes abnormalities found during the pelvic examination, such as a blockage in the vagina or a lump in the pelvis | A doctor's examination Sometimes hysterosalpingography (x-rays taken after a contrast agent is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes), sonohysterography (ultrasonography after fluid is infused into the uterus), or MRI |
Irregular or no menstrual periods, vaginal bleeding between periods, infertility, and abdominal pain that occurs in cycles | A doctor's examination Sometimes ultrasonography of the pelvis | |
Cysts and tumors in the ovaries ( ovarian cancer Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, and Peritoneal Cancer Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries. It is related to fallopian tube cancer, which develops in the tubes that lead from the ovaries to the uterus, and peritoneal cancer, which is cancer... read more or noncancerous ovarian growths Ovarian Cysts and Other Benign Ovarian Masses Noncancerous (benign) ovarian growths include cysts (mainly functional cysts) and masses, including noncancerous tumors. Most noncancerous cysts and tumors do not cause any symptoms, but some... read more ) | Often no other symptoms Sometimes abnormal vaginal bleeding Sometimes indigestion, bloating, changes in urination, pelvic pain, or backache | Ultrasonography If cancer is suspected, blood tests to measure substances produced by certain tumors |
Endometriosis Endometriosis In endometriosis, patches of endometrial tissue—normally occurring only in the lining of the uterus (endometrium)—appear outside the uterus. Why endometrial tissue appears outside the uterus... read more (patches of endometrial tissue that are abnormally located outside the uterus) | Dull or crampy pain that occurs before and during the first days of menstrual periods Infertility Often pain during sexual intercourse, bowel movements, or urination | A doctor's examination Ultrasonography of the pelvis Sometimes laparoscopy (insertion of a viewing tube through a small incision just below the navel) |
Often no other symptoms With large fibroids, sometimes pain, pressure, or heavy vaginal bleeding | Ultrasonography Sometimes sonohysterography or hysteroscopy (use of a thin viewing tube to see the interior of the uterus) If results are unclear, MRI | |
Intrauterine devices Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small, flexible, T-shaped plastic devices that are inserted into the uterus. In the United States, 12% of women who use contraception use IUDs. IUDs are popular... read more (IUDs) that release copper or, less often, those that release a progestin (a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone) | Heavy menstrual bleeding | A doctor's examination Sometimes ultrasonography of the pelvis to determine whether the IUD is correctly placed in the uterus |
Pelvic congestion syndrome Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Pelvic congestion syndrome is long-lasting (chronic) pain in the lowest part of the abdomen (pelvis) caused by accumulation of blood in veins of the pelvis, which have widened (dilated) and... read more (chronic pain due to accumulation of blood in veins of the pelvis) | Pain that is
Often low back pain, aches in the legs, and abnormal vaginal bleeding Occasionally a clear or watery discharge from the vagina Sometimes fatigue, mood swings, headaches, and bloating | A doctor’s examination Ultrasonography or specialized imaging techniques Sometimes laparoscopy |
* Features include symptoms and results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. | ||
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. |