Definition

Pelvic pain occurs between the belly button and the hips and groin. It is chronic when it lasts for six months or more.

Female Pelvic Organs Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Many things can cause pelvic pain, such as:

• Problems of sexual organs or related conditions, such as:
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Fibroids
  • Pain when ovulating
  • Menstrual pain
  • Adenomyosis
  • Cysts
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Problems with the intestines such as:
  • Diverticulitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Constipation
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Cancer
  • Ulcerative colitis
• Urinary problems, such as:
  • Bladder infection
  • Urinary tract infection
• Injuries to the muscles, nerves, hips, or back

In others, the cause is not known.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

• Heavy menstrual flow
• Miscarriage
• Cesarean section or pelvic surgery
• Alcohol or substance use disorder

Symptoms

Pain can vary from person to person. A person may have:

• Constant pain or a dull ache
• Burning, shooting pain
• An urgent need to pass stool
• Pain that comes and goes
• Pain that ranges from mild to severe
• Pain with certain activities
• Pain with lengthy sitting

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked about the pain. A physical exam may be done.

These tests may be done to look for a cause:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Images, such as x-rays and ultrasound
• Minimally invasive surgeries—to view or test tissue

Treatment

Underlying causes will be treated.

The goal of treatment is to manage pain. Choices are:

• Medicines, to ease pain, such as:
  • Over the counter or prescription pain relievers
  • Hormone therapy for pain related to the reproductive system
  • Antidepressants or anti-seizure medicines
• Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture
• Mental health counseling to learn to manage unhealthy thought patterns that make it harder to cope with pain

Prevention

Prevention will depend on the cause. Some causes cannot be prevented.