“Is fluid on the pelvis bad for you?”
After experiencing some symptoms, my doctor told me that it looked and felt like I had fluid in my pelvis. He wants me to get some tests so to be sure. Is fluid in the pelvis bad? How would it affect me?
6 Answers
Not always and hence the answer is it depends. Pelvic fluid in an healthy female of reproductive age with no symptoms may not be a concern and usually self resolves compared with another female with symptoms. If it is worrisome, discuss this with your doc and will be managed appropriately.
It depends where in the pelvis the fluid is. You should have more investigations: a scan, MRI, and reassess.
Yes and no. There are some cases where it may be normal. A gynecologist should investigate this.
Depends on so many factors. Age? How much? Detected on exam or ultrasound? Some fluid in the pelvic can be common for a younger (premenopausal) women but should not be excessive. Can rarely be due to a bleeding cyst but would expect pain and other symptoms. Increased fluid in an older woman could be a problem but again depends on how much and what causing. In older women first thing we will check to make sure not related to ovaries. Will require imaging with either ultrasound or CT or MRI. Blood work (CA 125) sometimes done and can be helpful. Good luck!
Hi,
I am not sure what your doctor may mean. Fluid in the pelvis can only be detected on ultrasound or other imaging (CT, MRI). There are a variety of reasons that there can be fluid in the pelvic area. There is a normal amount of fluid present. You can see increased fluid for a short time following ovulation or rupture of an ovarian cyst. The fluid may be blood, which can be seen during the period. Fluid can also be present with some very serious problems, such as ovarian cancer or cirrhosis of the liver which would usually result in a large amount of fluid that is not just in the pelvis but throughout the abdomen. Typically with these issues, there are other things found in the imaging. There are a couple medical problems that can also lead to increased fluid, but again, that is typically not the only symptom.
So, ultimately it depends on what else is going on. Good luck,
Dr. Tucker
I am not sure what your doctor may mean. Fluid in the pelvis can only be detected on ultrasound or other imaging (CT, MRI). There are a variety of reasons that there can be fluid in the pelvic area. There is a normal amount of fluid present. You can see increased fluid for a short time following ovulation or rupture of an ovarian cyst. The fluid may be blood, which can be seen during the period. Fluid can also be present with some very serious problems, such as ovarian cancer or cirrhosis of the liver which would usually result in a large amount of fluid that is not just in the pelvis but throughout the abdomen. Typically with these issues, there are other things found in the imaging. There are a couple medical problems that can also lead to increased fluid, but again, that is typically not the only symptom.
So, ultimately it depends on what else is going on. Good luck,
Dr. Tucker
No, not necessarily. Fluid can be from several places. Commonly, it is from a recent ruptured ovarian cyst. You have one of those every month of you are having regular cycles. If you have no pain, that is the likely source. If you do have pain, the fluid could have blood in it from a cyst, could be infection, etc. You would need further work-up.
Doug Young, MD
Doug Young, MD
