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 |
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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:
- 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
RESOURCES
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org
The International Pelvic Pain Society http://www.pelvicpain.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada http://www.sogc.org
References
Chronic pelvic pain. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/03/chronic-pelvic-pain. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Chronic pelvic pain. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-pelvic-pain.html. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Chronic pelvic pain in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-pelvic-pain-in-women. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Speer LM, Mushkbar S, et al. Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Mar 1;93(5):380-387.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 12/2020
- Update Date: 02/15/2021