Pelvic Adhesions

April 18, 2007

So, what are Pelvic Adhesions??? This information is the best that I extracted from a website.

Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between organs in the pelvic area. They are caused by infection, inflammation, endometriosis, or as areas heal from surgery. In many cases these adhesions are painless and the patient never knows she has them, while in other cases they cause a sharp, pulling type of pain, or pain with intercourse or bowel movements.

Pelvic adhesions can be filmy (kind of like sheets of saran wrap), or thick. Some contain small blood vessels. If they involve the fallopian tubes, they can cause infertility or lead to tubal (ectopic) pregnancies. If they are above the liver they can cause pain with deep breathing. If near the vagina, there can be pain with intercourse. And, if they involve the intestines, there can be pain with exercising, reaching for objects above one’s head, or when stretching.

They are diagnosed by laparoscopy (putting a thin tube in the belly button to look around the pelvic area during surgery), and are treated by cutting with small scissors or other cutting devices. Unfortunately, sometimes they return, and in these cases either further surgery, or treatment with various pain medications is used. Gynecologists know that for reasons we don’t understand the female organs tend to produce scar tissue when irritated. For this reason, we take great care in handling these organs and tissues during surgery, to minimize the chance of scar tissue formation.

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Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. They may limit the functioning of the ovaries and fallopian tubes and impair fertility. Scar tissue formation inside the uterine cavity after a surgical procedure may result in a closed uterus and ceased menstruation.

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Pelvic scar tissue and adhesions is usually caused by pelvic infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or by pelvic endometriosis. Scar tissue can also be formed as a result of the normal healing process that occurs after pelvic surgery.

In cases with very minor scar tissue, it is not possible to be certain that this is the cause of the infertility problem. In general, the standard infertility testing is performed on all couples and if no other infertility causes are found, the presumptive diagnosis can be pelvic factor. However, if the degree of scarring is very minimal, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility may be more appropriate.

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Hmmm…. so, pelvic adhesions may cause infertility but to how much extend? I think only my doctor can answer that. Next week.