Pelvic pain – what can cause it?

Pelvic pain can be a symptom of lots of conditions, most of which aren’t serious. Discover the potential causes, and ways to ease it.

What does it feel like?

When to get urgent medical care

What are the causes?

Self-care tips to help

When to see a doctor

What are the treatments?

Where to get support 

Pelvic pain can vary in severity, ranging from mild to debilitating (making you physically weak). It can have a number of different causes, including constipation and period pain. Whatever the reason for your pelvic pain, it can usually be managed.

Pelvic pain can describe any kind of pain in your pelvis – the area below your belly button.

It can be caused by lots of different things, and can range from a mild ache to severe stabbing pain.

Depending on the cause, pelvic pain may go away on its own, or with self-care steps. But if your pain continues or gets worse, you may need treatment from a healthcare professional. 


## What does it feel like?

Pelvic pain can really vary. It may be:
- in one small area of your lower abdomen, or across the whole pelvis
- constant, or it may come and go, or get worse with activities, such as exercising, having sex, or going to the bathroom
- sharp, stabbing, or burning
- cramping or throbbing
- a dull ache
- a feeling of pressure
- a twisted or knotted feeling.


Get help with this

## When to get urgent medical care
Go to an urgent treatment center if you have pelvic pain and you:
- have pain that is getting worse, plus hurts when you press the area or move it
- have a fever (high temperature) 
- have difficulty peeing or pooping 
- need to pee more than usual
- are pregnant, or may be pregnant.


## What are the causes?

Pelvic pain can have many potential causes, including long-term conditions, infections, and injury. Sometimes, more than 1 factor can contribute. Fortunately, the majority of causes aren’t serious.

Common causes of pelvic pain include:

- [constipation](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/constipation)
- [irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome)
- [urinary tract infections (UTIs)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/urinary-tract-infection-adults)
- [sexually transmitted infections (STIs)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections)
- a bowel or bladder infection
- [period pain](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/painful-periods)
- pregnancy
- [endometriosis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/endometriosis)
- [fibroids](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/fibroids)
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- [ovarian cyst](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/ovarian-cyst)
- [appendicitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/appendicitis)
- [peritonitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/peritonitis)
- pulled muscle or ligament.

Less commonly, pelvic pain may be caused by serious conditions such as [ectopic pregnancy](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy), and types of cancer that affect organs in the area, like ovarian or uterine cancer, but these causes are rare. 

Although pelvic pain is more common in women, it can affect men. For example, it can be a sign of a prostate problem such as [prostatitis.
](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/prostatitis)

## Self-care tips to help

You may not always need to see a healthcare professional about pelvic pain. In some cases, it might be a temporary problem that goes away on its own.

In the meantime, there may be some things you can do at home to ease it. A hot compress or warm bath might help, and you could ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter pain relief. 

Sometimes, having a healthier diet, getting active, and improving your posture can be a benefit, and may help to prevent pelvic pain in the future.


## When to see a doctor

__Go back to the section [When to get urgent medical care](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/pelvic-pain#when-to-get-urgent-help) to check symptoms that need urgent medical attention.__

Otherwise, make an appointment with a healthcare professional if:
- the pain doesn’t go away
- you’ve also been feeling bloated for around 3 weeks or more
- you’ve been losing weight without trying to
- you have any unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding
- you see blood in your pee or poop (stool)
- you have constipation and/or diarrhea that isn’t getting better
- you may be at risk of an STI
- you have pain during sexual intercourse or bleeding after sex.

These may indicate a more serious problem that needs to be ruled out.

Diagnosing pelvic pain isn’t always straightforward, as there are a number of potential causes. Generally, your healthcare professional will ask about symptoms and your health history. They’ll usually feel your abdomen, do a speculum examination, and a vaginal examination in women.

Depending on what they think may be causing your symptoms, your healthcare professional may refer you to a specialist for further tests. These may include blood and urine tests, an ultrasound, and MRI scan. 

Sometimes, they may recommend a procedure that uses a viewing tool to look at different organs inside the pelvis – such as laparoscopy or colonoscopy. 


## What are the treatments?

Once your doctor knows what’s causing your pelvic pain, they may suggest appropriate treatment. This will depend on the cause, but may include, for example:

- antibiotics if your pain is caused by an infection
- pain relief medication
- hormonal treatments, if pain is linked with endometriosis or your menstrual cycle
- physical therapy. 


## Where to get support 

Support organizations can help with everything from pain management to coping with a difficult diagnosis.

Get in touch with:

- Pelvic Pain Support Network (UK):  [www.pelvicpain.org.uk/](https://www.pelvicpain.org.uk/)

- International Pelvic Pain Society (US):  [www.pelvicpain.org/](http://www.pelvicpain.org/)


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References

Juliet Blank

Charlotte Haigh

Dr Emily Blount

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