Abdominal & Pelvic Pain

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What is pelvic pain?

Although pelvic pain often refers to pain in the region of women’s (and people assigned female at birth’s, AFAB) reproductive organs, it can be present in all sexes and can stem from other causes. Pelvic pain might be a symptom of infection or arise from pain in your pelvic bone or nonreproductive internal organs. But in women and people AFAB, pelvic pain can very well be an indication that there might be a problem with one of the reproductive organs in their pelvic area (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina).

Possible Causes

What causes pelvic pain?

There are many reasons why you may develop pelvic pain, including:

• Appendicitis.

• Bladder disorders (such as urinary tract infections).

• Sexually transmitted infections.

• Kidney infection or kidney stones.

• Intestinal disorders (such as diverticulitis or colitis).

• Nerve conditions (such as pinched nerves of your spine).

• Hernia.

• Pelvis disorders (such as tightness and spasm of pelvic muscles).

• Broken pelvic bones.

• Psychogenic pain (pain related to stress or psychological traumas from the past).

Possible pelvic pain causes in women and AFAB include:

• Pregnancy.

• Ectopic pregnancy.

• Miscarriage.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

• Ovulation.

• Menstrual cramps.

• Ovarian cysts or other ovarian disorders.

• Uterine fibroids.

• Endometriosis.

• Cervical cancer.

• Uterine cancer.

• Ovarian cancer.

What are the symptoms related to pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain may be accompanied by other symptoms or warning signs. Some of the most common pelvic pain symptoms include:

• Vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge.

• Menstrual pain.

• Dysuria (painful urination).

• Constipation or diarrhea.

• Bloating or gas.

• Rectal bleeding (bleeding when you poop).

• Pain during sex.

• Fever or chills.

• Hip pain.

• Pain in your groin area.

Care and Treatment

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

When diagnosing the cause of pelvic pain, a healthcare provider will review your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam or other tests might also help in determining the cause of pelvic pain. Some diagnostic tools might include:

• Blood and urine tests.

• Pregnancy tests in people of reproductive age.

• Vaginal or penile cultures to check for sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

• Abdominal and pelvic X-rays.

• Laparoscopy (a procedure allowing a direct look at the structures in your pelvis and abdomen).

• Hysteroscopy (a procedure to examine your uterus).

• Stool sample to check for signs of blood in your poop.

• Lower endoscopy (insertion of a lighted tube to examine the inside of your rectum and colon).

• Ultrasound (a test that uses sound waves to provide images of internal organs).

• CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis (a scan that uses X-rays and computers to produce cross-sectional images of your body).

How is pelvic pain treated?

The treatment of pelvic pain depends on several factors, including cause, intensity and frequency of pain. Common pelvic pain treatments include:

• Medicine. Sometimes, pelvic pain is treated with drugs, including antibiotics, if necessary.

• Surgery. If the pain results from an issue with one of your pelvic organs, the treatment might involve surgery or other procedures.

• Physical therapy. Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy to ease pelvic pain in some cases.

Living with chronic pelvic pain can be stressful and upsetting. Studies have shown that working with a trained counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist can be beneficial in many cases. Your healthcare provider can offer more information about various treatments for pelvic pain.​​​​​​