Feeling pressure or a sudden heaviness in the pelvic area can be frightening for any woman. You’re wondering what could be causing this and whether or not it’s cause for worry. Will this go away on its own? Should you contact your doctor? Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for feeling heaviness in the pelvic area and what could be going on with your body. 

Many women smile through the unbearable agony of pelvic pain, believing it’s just another side effect of being a woman. They’re perhaps so used to suffering from this invisible pain in silence and have mistakenly been led to believe that it’s all in their head.

In the viral TikTok — which has over 25 million views — a healthcare worker can be heard saying, "They found the reason for your pain that will be able to be treated." Crying, Mercer responds by saying, "They did? They really did? You're not lying to me? They found it? ... Finally — can I give her a hug?"'

This is an exhaustive list of different causes of chronic pelvic pain. This will be updated throughout 2022 to raise awareness of pelvic pain in women. Women of all ages need to be aware that they are not alone and others are suffering from similar conditions. The Center for Vascular Medicine is here to assist women in diagnosing and treating pelvic pain of a vascular origin and direct them to other specialists when necessary. 

1. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Symptoms

There are many reasons why both men and women may have abdomen pain after sex, and some are more serious than others. The less serious usually have to do with the digestive tract and may include irritable bowel syndrome, gas, or constipation. Similarly, UTIs or bladder issues can lead to abdominal pain after sex in men and women. 

Do you wonder why your legs may be feeling very heavy and/or tired? You may have a vascular disease called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency or venous reflux is an issue with the one-way valves within the veins of our legs. The veins carry the blood back to our heart from various locations. Over time the one-way valves can become damaged and begin to “leak” causing the backflow of blood into the lower legs. Pressure begins to build up in the legs causing a multitude of symptoms. These include but are not limited to leg fatigue and heaviness.

If you’ve experienced pain during sex, you’re not alone. As much as 20% of women report pain in some way during sexual intercourse. This number is significant, and it continues to grow the less society speaks on these common painful conditions related to the reproductive system. 

Luckily, knowing what causes pain during sex can help you start treating it. It’s essential to speak to your gynecologist if you think you may have this condition, so you can get on the road to feeling better. 

Pain during or after sex, also known as dyspareunia, is very common in women across the globe. For many, this is not a cause for concern. However, if you notice your pain lasting longer than three months, you may have something going on. 

The best way to know for sure if your pain is sex-related is to track your symptoms. Do you have stomach pain after eating certain foods, exercising, or only after sex? If your condition is specifically sex-related, you will need to seek professional advice.

“My skin looks dirty, but I took a shower this morning.” This is something I commonly hear when talking to patients. This may not only be embarrassing for patients, but also lead to skin damage and wounds. There are different types of skin discoloration that are related to vascular disease. Most of them are due to veins that are not functioning properly. Below is a summary of the most common skin conditions that are seen as related to vascular disease.   

Stasis Dermatitis  

An artery is a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body like your organs, arms, legs, and feet. Without oxygen and nutrients, your body would not be able to function. The nighttime leg pain can be a sign of Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Below are the reasons why the patient might be suffering from PAD.