All Collections
PMDD, Surgery & Surgical Menopause
Long-term recovery
What are adhesions, and how might they affect me?
What are adhesions, and how might they affect me?

Keywords: Surgery. Bloating. Cramping. Nausea. Rectal bleeding. Pain with bowel movements.

IAPMD avatar
Written by IAPMD
Updated over a week ago

Abdominal adhesions are internal bands of tissue that span 2 or more organs in the abdomen. They can be present before surgery (for example, due to endometriosis), and can also develop after surgery--particularly when surgery was abdominal (rather than laparoscopic). 

Although the majority of people with adhesions have no symptoms, some people do develop serious problems that need medical attention.  The following symptoms can be related to abdominal adhesions: 

  • Chronic bloating.

  • Abdominal cramping and “gurgling” sounds.

  • Altered bowel movements, such as constipation or frequent loose stools.

  • Nausea with or without early feelings of being “full”.

  • Painful sexual intercourse.

  • Rectal bleeding or pain with bowel movements. 

If you are having any of these symptoms to a troubling degree, contact your surgeon to determine whether further evaluation is needed. 


Visit www.iapmd.org/surgery for lots of evidence-based information and resources for those considering, going through or recovering from surgery for PMDD/PME.

Did this answer your question?