What Problem can Pelvic Adhesions Lead to?

Pelvic adhesion is a common lesion of pelvic inflammatory disease or after abdominal surgery. Pelvic adhesion can also occur in women with endometriosis, or sexually transmitted diseases. It observed in gynecologic patients are a major contributing factor to infertility, pelvic pain and/or intestinal obstruction. Such adhesions may be the sequelae to inflammatory processes, endometriosis, and prior surgical intervention.

While most adhesions do not cause trouble, adhesions can lead to a variety of potentially serious complications including:

Pelvic pain: Adhesions are a common cause of pelvic pain - an estimated 38 percent of women suffering from pelvic pain have adhesions. Adhesions cause pelvic pain because they bind normally separate organs and tissues together, essentially "tying them down" so that the stretching and pulling of everyday movements can irritate nearby nerves.

Pain during intercourse: Adhesions can also cause pain during intercourse.

Infertility: Adhesions that form as a result of certain types of gynecologic surgery, especially tubal surgeries and surgeries to remove fibroids (myomectomies), are a common cause of infertility. Adhesions between the ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvic walls can block the passage of the ovum (egg) from the ovaries into and through the fallopian tubes. Adhesions around the fallopian tubes can also make it difficult or impossible for sperm to reach the ovum.