Symptoms include severe pelvic pain, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting , and a heavy odorous vaginal discharge. Treatment depends on the cause and extent of the infection but may include hospitalization, antibiotics , and analgesics . Inadequately treated pelvic inflammatory disease may result in infertility or sterility. Tumors Uterine Fibroids Uterine fibroids, masses of muscle and connective tissue that are stimulated by estrogen, occur in some 20 to 50 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 50. Fibroids are more often seen in African-American women.
Diagnosis is made by physical exam, ultrasound or x-rays.
The size of these benign tumors varies from pea size up to that of a tennis or softball. These smooth, firm, rounded tumors are usually asymptomatic. However, large tumors can cause excessive menstrual bleeding, menstrual cramps, urinary frequency, constipation , low abdominal pain, and infertility. Tumors that distort the uterine cavity or endometrium can cause infertilty or spontaneous abortion. Treatment is dependent on age, symptoms, parity and patient condition.