What are Pelvic Masses?

Pelvic masses are common occurrences for women that often lead to a visit with a surgeon. Many women who feel a lump or a mass in their pelvic area find it while lying in bed. Other women notice their stomach gets bigger despite trying to lose weight. Some women describe a heavy feeling, as though they are carrying around something extra inside of them. These symptoms are often associated with constipation, and/ or a feeling of urinary urgency or frequency. In many cases, your doctor may find a mass during a routine physical exam when you may not realize you even have a mass. You may even have no symptoms beside the actual lump.

While the word “mass” sounds frightening, it’s really just a general term, simply meaning that there is a lump. The term “pelvic mass” can be used to describe a growth such as a cyst, tumor, or fibroid. Cysts are fluid filled masses, tumors are growths that may be benign, pre-malignant (precancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Masses can also refer to a foreign body, an overfilled bladder, retained stool, or even a pregnancy. The doctor’s job, much like a detective, is to find the culprit of the pelvic mass!

Learning more about your body can empower you to make better overall health decisions. Visit your doctor regularly to ensure that you are in good health. Learn more about pelvic masses in my book, Not Your Mother’s Hysterectomy, here.