Differential Diagnosis for Female with Pelvic Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Endometriosis: This condition is a common cause of pelvic pain in females, especially those of reproductive age. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus is found outside the uterus, leading to pain, inflammation, and scarring.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Dysmenorrhea: Menstrual cramps are a frequent cause of pelvic pain, related to the contraction of the uterus during menstruation.
- Ovarian Cysts: These are fluid-filled sacs on the ovary that can cause pain if they rupture or bleed.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause pelvic pain, often due to sexually transmitted bacteria.
- Uterine Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can lead to pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and pressure.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, which can cause severe pelvic pain and is life-threatening if not promptly treated.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, which can cause severe abdominal or pelvic pain and requires urgent surgical attention.
- Ovarian Torsion: A condition where the ovary twists around its ligaments, cutting off blood supply, which is an emergency requiring immediate surgery.
- Ruptured Ovarian Cyst: While often not immediately life-threatening, a ruptured cyst can cause significant pain and may lead to hemorrhage or infection.
Rare Diagnoses
- Adenomyosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows into the muscular walls of the uterus, leading to pain and heavy bleeding.
- Interstitial Cystitis: A chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the digestive tract, which can cause lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to pelvic pain among other symptoms.