Frozen Pelvis: Causes, Symptoms, and Impact on Fertility

Frozen Pelvis is a serious condition that can affect a woman’s health, especially when it comes to fertility. It develops silently and may not show any signs in the early stages. That’s why there are many women who don’t even realise they have it until they start facing problems like severe pelvic pain or issues in getting pregnant. So, it’s important to understand this condition properly so that you can get help at the right time and avoid any complications.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist and Gynaecologist) has treated many women who are dealing with serious fertility issues. And, today in this blog, we will explain everything about Frozen Pelvis. We will explain its causes, symptoms, connection to infertility, treatment options, and more.

What is Frozen Pelvis?

Frozen Pelvis is a serious condition where the organs in the lower abdomen get stuck together due to thick scar tissue. The organs include the uterus, ovaries, bladder, or intestines. This condition is usually caused by severe endometriosis, infections, or previous surgeries that lead to pelvic adhesions. These adhesions act like glue and stick the organs to each other. This can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty with daily movements.

In many cases, women may not even know they have this problem until they face issues while trying to get pregnant. Frozen Pelvis can affect fertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or damaging the ovaries. That’s why it’s important to diagnose this problem early and find the right treatment, especially if you’re experiencing pain or fertility challenges.

How Does Frozen Pelvis Develop?

Frozen Pelvis develops slowly over time when scar tissue starts to form and stick the organs in the pelvic area together. This scar tissue is known as pelvic adhesions and it usually forms because of some health conditions. It includes endometriosis, past pelvic infections, or surgeries such as C-sections or fibroid removal.

When the body tries to heal from these issues, it sometimes creates too much scar tissue. So, instead of healing smoothly, this extra tissue causes the organs, including the uterus, ovaries, or bladder to stick to one another. As this builds up, it becomes difficult for the organs to move freely and this causes pain, stiffness, and fertility problems.

Frozen Pelvis Causes

Frozen Pelvis can happen because of some health problems or earlier medical treatments that create thick scar tissue in the lower belly area. This scar tissue makes organs like the uterus, ovaries, bladder, or intestines stick to each other.

Here are some common causes of Frozen Pelvis:

• Endometriosis – This happens when tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside it and causes inflammation and scarring.
• Pelvic infections – Such as untreated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can lead to severe inflammation and adhesions.
• Previous surgeries – Some operations like C-sections, fibroid removal, or appendix removal can leave behind scar tissue.
• Radiation therapy – This is used in cancer treatment and it can damage pelvic tissues and cause adhesions over time.
• Tuberculosis in the pelvic area – This is rare and it can lead to long-term infection and scarring.

Symptoms Of Frozen Pelvis

Frozen Pelvis can develop slowly and many women may not notice signs in the beginning. But there are some uncomfortable symptoms that may appear over time, as pelvic adhesions grow and organs start sticking together.

Here are some common frozen pelvis symptoms:

• Ongoing lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Pain that gets worse during periods
• Pain during or after sex
• Issues in passing urine or bowel movements
• Feeling pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area
• Difficulty to get pregnant

Infertility And Frozen Pelvis

Frozen Pelvis can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant. This happens because scar tissue sticks the organs in the lower belly, including the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes together. These organs need to move freely to help the egg and sperm meet. But it becomes difficult for pregnancy to happen naturally when they are stuck.

Frozen Pelvis may block the fallopian tubes or harm the ovaries. Even if a woman is producing healthy eggs then they may not reach the uterus. There are some women who may not know they have this problem until they try to get pregnant. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor early if you have issues in getting pregnant or have pain in the lower belly.

Frozen Pelvis Diagnosis

Frozen Pelvis is not always easy to detect because its symptoms are often confused with other conditions like endometriosis or pelvic infections. Doctors may use a few important tests to find out the cause if a woman is facing pain or fertility issues. A proper diagnosis can help to start the right treatment on time.

Here are some common methods that are used to diagnose Frozen Pelvis:

• Pelvic exam to check for pain, swelling, or abnormal growth
• Ultrasound helps to look for changes in pelvic organs
• MRI scan for a clearer view of scar tissue or pelvic adhesions
• Blood tests to find out any infections or other health issues

Treatment For Frozen Pelvis

The treatment of frozen pelvis depends on how severe the condition is and whether the woman is trying to get pregnant. The treatment options help to reduce pain, improve movement, and restore fertility if needed.

Here are some treatment options:

• Pain relief medicines to manage daily discomfort
• Hormonal therapy if endometriosis is the reason
• Laparoscopy to remove scar tissue and separate stuck organs
• Fertility treatments like IVF if natural conception is not possible
• Physical therapy to help with pelvic pain and stiffness

Pelvic Surgery Complications

Pelvic surgery is sometimes needed to treat conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or frozen pelvis. It can help improve health and fertility but it also has some risks. These complications don’t happen to everyone but it’s important to know about them so you can take the right precautions.

Here are some common pelvic surgery complications:

• Infections at the wound or inside the body
• Bleeding during or after surgery
• Damage to nearby organs like the bladder or intestines
• Chronic pain that may last even after recovery
• Fertility problems in some cases, especially if reproductive organs are affected

Final Words

Frozen Pelvis is a serious condition that can silently affect a woman’s health and fertility. It happens when pelvic organs get stuck together due to pelvic adhesions and this is caused by conditions like endometriosis, past infections, or surgeries. In this blog, we’ve explained what frozen pelvis means, how it develops, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist and Gynaecologist) has supported many women who are facing pelvic complications and fertility challenges. With over 35 years of experience, she provides expert care to help women recover and plan for a healthy pregnancy. If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, difficulty conceiving, or have any concerns, we’re here to guide you. Call us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email [email protected] for trusted support and advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can you get pregnant with a frozen pelvis?

Yes, but it can be difficult. The scar tissue may block the fallopian tubes or affect the ovaries. With the right treatment or IVF, pregnancy is still possible.

• Is frozen pelvis painful?

Yes, it can be very painful. Many women feel sharp or dull pain in the pelvic area, especially during daily movements or intercourse.

• Can IVF help with frozen pelvis?

Yes, IVF is often recommended when natural conception is not possible due to blocked tubes or damage caused by adhesions.

• Can frozen pelvis affect periods?

Yes, it can lead to painful periods, irregular bleeding, or heavy menstrual flow due to stuck pelvic organs.

• Can frozen pelvis go away on its own?

No, it usually does not go away without treatment. Medical or surgical help is often needed to manage it.

• Can frozen pelvis return after treatment?

Yes, in some cases, scar tissue can grow back, especially if the underlying cause like endometriosis is not controlled.