Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Hoffman BL, et al. Pelvic pain. In: Williams Gynecology. New York, N. Accessed May 7, Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ Chronic pelvic pain. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Tu FF, et al. Evaluation of chronic pelvic pain in women.
Jameson JL, et al. Menstrual disorders and pelvic pain. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Stratton P. Evaluation of acute pelvic pain in women. Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate. Cervical cancer Cervical dysplasia: Is it cancer?
Choosing the best treatment for uterine fibroids Chronic bladder infection Cystitis Ectopic pregnancy Endometrial cancer Epididymitis Flaxseed: Does it affect risk of prostate cancer? Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer? For those who menstruate, it's important to note that mild cramping and pain associated with your period are normal and don't require medical attention unless you have high levels of pain a condition called dysmenorrhea.
Seek emergency care for sudden, severe pelvic pain, especially if it is one-sided or if you may be pregnant. To help your healthcare provider accurately diagnose the cause of your pelvic pain, try to record information like when the pain occurs, what you are doing when it strikes, and what helps alleviate it. When you do see a healthcare provider about your pelvic pain, be prepared to answer questions about when the pain occurs, what triggers it, what relieves it, and how long you've been experiencing it.
In addition, during your medical history, your healthcare provider may ask you questions about your family, like whether you have a family history of fibroids or cancer. Your healthcare provider will also take a sexual history, inquiring about the number of sexual partners you have and if you have ever had a sexually transmitted infection.
When evaluating pelvic pain, a key part of the physical exam is the pelvic exam, whereby your healthcare provider will check for any abnormalities for example, tenderness or masses within your reproductive system.
Due to the fact that pelvic pain may be related to other organs besides the reproductive system, your healthcare provider will also likely perform an abdominal and lower back exam to evaluate for an intestinal or kidney source of your pain. If you could be pregnant, that's likely to be one of the first tests your healthcare provider orders. Other tests that may be performed include:. Depending on the suspected cause of your pelvic pain, an imaging test may be ordered. An ultrasound is often the first imaging test used to evaluate pelvic pain, but other tests may include a computed tomography CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis or a pelvic ultrasound.
There are numerous therapies for pelvic pain, and the precise treatment needed depends on the underlying cause. For example, urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, while surgery is needed to treat emergent causes like ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, or appendicitis.
Surgery is also often the first-line therapy for some cancers and is used to treat severe cases of endometriosis and fibroids. Experiencing pelvic pain is physically and emotionally distressing, and with all the potential causes, you may worry that it's something serious. See your healthcare provider, provide them with as much information about your pain as possible, and expect them to run a battery of tests to figure out what's causing it. And remember that sudden, severe pelvic pain warrants a trip to the emergency room.
Several different bodily systems can cause pelvic pain. It can be related to reproductive organs, the gastrointestinal system, or the urinary tract.
Muscle pain in the pelvic region can also be a culprit. To help determine the cause of your pelvic pain, your doctor will review your symptom history and perform a physical exam before ordering other tests. Pelvic pain that is sudden and severe is concerning and should be seen by a doctor promptly. It could be appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, or an ovarian torsion—life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention.
A doctor should also evaluate chronic or persistent pelvic pain not related to menstrual cramps. If it is unclear what the source of the pain is, start with a visit to your primary care doctor. If the pain appears to be gynecological, see your gynecologist. If the pain is related to digestion, see a gastroenterologist. If you are pregnant and feel a lot of pressure or pain in your pelvis accompanied by low back and abdominal pain, it could be a sign of labor, and you should call your healthcare provider.
However, in your second trimester, it could also be round ligament pain , which happens when the ligament that runs from the groin to your uterus is stretched. The treatments for pelvic pain depend on the cause. Pain medication and muscle relaxers may be helpful for specific pelvic pain causes, and hormonal therapies can be used in conditions like endometriosis. Physical therapy and pelvic floor exercises can help with muscle strengthening in the pelvis and pain relief.
Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Pan Afr Med J. Published Jan National Institutes of Health, U. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Ectopic pregnancy. Updated February 26, Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.
Infect Drug Resist. Updated April 1, Williams ARW. Uterine fibroids - what's new? Cleveland Clinic. Ovulation pain: Mittelschmerz. Updated November 24, Diagnostic utility of CT in differentiating between ruptured ovarian corpus luteal cyst and ruptured ectopic pregnancy with hemorrhage. J Ovarian Res. A review of ovary torsion. They'll be able to investigate the cause and arrange any treatment you may need.
If you've had pelvic pain for 6 months or more that either comes and goes or is continuous, it's known as chronic pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain is more intense than ordinary period pain and lasts longer.
It affects around 1 in 6 women. See your GP if you have chronic pelvic pain. They'll investigate the cause and arrange any necessary treatment. Page last reviewed: 30 October Next review due: 30 October
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