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What Are the Common Causes of a Sore Uterus?

Anna T.
Anna T.

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.

Menstruation is a common cause of a sore uterus.
Menstruation is a common cause of a sore uterus.

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 are pregnant and have had multiple sexual partners are at risk for developing a vaginal infection, which is a common cause of a sore uterus.
Women who are pregnant and have had multiple sexual partners are at risk for developing a vaginal infection, which is a common cause of a sore uterus.

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.

The uterus is part of the female reproductive system.
The uterus is part of the female reproductive system.

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.

A woman should see a gynecologist if her uterus pain is severe and persistent.
A woman should see a gynecologist if her uterus pain is severe and persistent.

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.

Discussion Comments

sunnySkys

This is just one of the many reasons I would be too scared to use an intrauterine device for birth control. I have a few friends who love their IUDs, and then I have a few other friends who have had horrible experiences!

I actually have a friend who had an IUD for a few years with no problems. Then she started experiences serious uterine pain. When she went to the doctor, she found out that she didn't have an infection (which can happen with IUDs, as the article said) but the IUD had lodged itself in her cervix! Scary!

KaBoom

@strawCake - I think I'm going to take your advice. I've been experiencing some pretty severe pain during my periods for awhile, but I've been putting off going to the doctor. I just kind of forget about it when my period is over, you know?

I never thought about endometriosis as a possible cause. I was actually thinking I might have a uterus cyst! A friend of mine had one, and she was in a lot of pain, which I know isn't usual. She ended up going on medication though, which made the cyst shrink, so she didn't need surgery.

strawCake

A sore uterus can also be caused by a condition called endometriosis. Basically when you have this illness tissue from the lining of your uterus grows in other places in your reproductive system and can cause serious dysmenorrhea.

I actually have this, and for the longest time I actually thought it was normal to be in that much pain when I got my period. However, I finally talked to a few friends who told me what I was experiencing wasn't normal! I went to the doctor and went on birth control pills, which helped tremendously.

So if you're experiencing uterine pain, definitely go to the doctor sooner rather than later so you can get some help!

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    • Menstruation is a common cause of a sore uterus.
      By: overcrew
      Menstruation is a common cause of a sore uterus.
    • Women who are pregnant and have had multiple sexual partners are at risk for developing a vaginal infection, which is a common cause of a sore uterus.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      Women who are pregnant and have had multiple sexual partners are at risk for developing a vaginal infection, which is a common cause of a sore uterus.
    • The uterus is part of the female reproductive system.
      By: fixer00
      The uterus is part of the female reproductive system.
    • A woman should see a gynecologist if her uterus pain is severe and persistent.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A woman should see a gynecologist if her uterus pain is severe and persistent.
    • A woman should consult her gynecologist if she experiences uterine irritation or inflammation.
      By: JackF
      A woman should consult her gynecologist if she experiences uterine irritation or inflammation.
    • Uterine fibroids are a common cause of a sore uterus.
      By: rob3000
      Uterine fibroids are a common cause of a sore uterus.
    • A sore uterus may indicate a serious problem.
      By: Marin Conic
      A sore uterus may indicate a serious problem.