As many as one in three women experience a debilitating urologic disease or condition such as kidney or bladder cancer, chronic pelvic pain, overactive bladder or various forms of incontinence.
Beaumont is a Leader in Women's Urology
Beaumont offers extensive female urology care, including medical evaluation and treatment for:
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bladder dysfunction
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pelvic pain
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pelvic floor dysfunction
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sexual dysfunction
What is the pelvis?
The pelvis is a basin-shaped structure across the base of the abdomen that supports the spinal column and protects the abdominal organs. The organs and structure of the female pelvis include:
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Endometrium:
The lining of the uterus.
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Uterus:
Also called the womb, the uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum.
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Ovaries:
Two female reproductive organs located in the pelvis.
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Fallopian tubes:
Carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
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Cervix:
The lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) located between the bladder and the rectum. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.
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Vagina:
The passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods. It is also called the "birth canal." The vagina connects the cervix (the opening of the womb, or uterus) and the vulva (the external genitalia).
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Vulva:
The external portion of the female genital organs.
What is Pelvic Pain?
While
pelvic pain
is a common complaint among women, it can stem from many different pelvic diseases and disorders, and so the underlying causes can be difficult to pinpoint.
Pelvic pain can be categorized as either acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (lasting over a period of months or longer). Pelvic pain may have a physical cause in the genital or extragenital organs in and around the pelvis, or it may be psychological in origin, in which case it is just as real, but may be even more challenging to treat successfully.
The most common types of pelvic pain described by women include:
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localized pain in the hip or groin area
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spasms or cramps
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painful or difficult urination
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pain involving the entire abdomen
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pain aggravated by movement or during examination
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pain during intercourse
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sudden onset of pain
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slowly-developing pain
Learn more about the causes and treatments of Pelvic Pain.
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a
bacterial infection
of the female reproductive organs. It is often caused by the same bacteria responsible for several sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia, or in some cases, bacteria that has traveled through the vagina and cervix by way of an intrauterine device (IUD). PID can affect any of the reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes or the ovaries causing pelvic adhesions and scar tissue, ongoing pelvic pain, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg becomes implanted outside the uterus) or infertility.
Learn more about PID.
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
The pelvic floor is made up of several muscles that support the rectum like a sling. When you want to have a bowel movement, the pelvic floor muscles relax and the abdominal muscles contract to allow the rectum to empty. Individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction have a tendency to contract the pelvic floor muscles rather than relax them, making evacuating stool difficult and leading to constipation and bowel incontinence.
Learn more about pelvic floor dysfunction.