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A Cesarean section is the surgical delivery of a baby through
an incision made in the mother's abdomen. These surgeries,
though sometimes the best option for delivery (e.g., when
a very small woman is having a very large child), are increasingly
being performed when unnecessary in the U.S., increasing risks
for mother and child. Chronic pelvic pain, or persistent,
long-term pain of the lower abdomen, is a condition that affects
millions of women in their reproductive years and may be more
prevalent in women who've had a C-section.
Conducted in Brazil, another nation where rates of Cesarean
sections are rising, a study appearing in the International
Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics focused on about
200 patients averaging approximately 35 years old. The women
provided detailed pain histories and information on previous
deliveries. The mothers also underwent complete gynecological
and abdominal examinations, including laparoscopy - a procedure
that involves using a viewing instrument inserted through
an incision in the navel to examine a woman's reproductive
organs.
 Women
with chronic pelvic pain were significantly more likely to
have undergone a C-section than women without pain. C-sections
had been performed on over two-thirds of women with the condition,
as opposed to just over one-third of women without chronic
pelvic pain. Women with endometriosis, a condition characterized
by uterine lining abnormally forming outside the uterus, were
also at a high risk for the condition (nearly nine times more
likely).
Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by other factors, such
as depression or sexual trauma. The important point to consider
from this study is that unlike endometriosis, C-sections are
optional in many cases. Mothers-to-be can often choose to
avoid this procedure, which may reduce their risk for chronic
pelvic pain, as well as infection, blood loss and scarring.
Reference:
Almeida ECS, Nogueira AA, et al. Cesarean section as a cause
of chronic pelvic pain. International Journal of Gynecology
and Obstetrics 2002:79, pp. 101-104.
For more women's health studies, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/women.
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