Some of the most common causes of a sore uterus include uterine fibroids, menstruation, and uterine or vaginal infection. Many studies indicate that menopause might also be linked to uterine pain and soreness. Severe and persistent incidences of this type of pain should probably be referred to a gynecologist for treatment.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow within the lining of the uterus. In many cases, the tumors do not cause excessive pain and may not even require treatment. Some women suffer severe pain and soreness as a result of having uterine fibroids. For these women, medications may be prescribed to lessen the size of the tumors, but in extreme cases surgical removal is necessary.
Uterine and vaginal infections are two of the most common causes of a sore uterus. Most of the time these infections are caused by imbalances in the normal bacterial content of the vagina and uterus. Women who are pregnant who have also had multiple sexual partners are considered to be at higher risk for developing these bacterial infections. Additionally, uterine infections have been linked to the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) as methods for birth control. In most cases, bacterial infections can be cleared up by antibiotic medications.
Women who complain of a sore uterus during menstruation might suffer from a condition called dysmenorrhea. The exact cause of dysmenorrhea is unknown, but some research seems to suggest that it could be the result of hormonal imbalances. In some cases, the pain associated with dysmenorrhea is manageable with the application of heating pads to the pelvic area and regular consumption of warm liquids. Doctors occasionally prescribe anti-inflammatories and pain relievers to women who are suffering from severe dysmenorrhea.
A sore uterus might also be associated with menopause. Most of the time, the pain is the result of swelling of the uterine tissue, which is a normal side effect of menopause. For most women, the soreness is manageable and does not require medical treatment. When this soreness is related to menopause, it is usually an infrequent and temporary condition.
Sometimes a sore uterus can indicate a serious problem. Although it is rare, cervical cancer can lead to pain in the uterus and vagina. The risk of uterine soreness being the result of a serious condition is slim, but women who suffer from this type of pain should probably see their gynecologists for complete examinations. This would be especially true if there were other family members who have had ovarian cancer, because it is often genetic in nature.
