Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
The pelvis is located in the abdominal area, below your belly button and between your hips.Pelvic paincan occur in women and men, and it can originate in the urinary, reproductive,gastrointestinal, andmusculoskeletalsystems.
Pelvic pain intensity varies based on the cause and can be sudden, constant, or come and go.
This article discusses pelvic pain, causes, tests, treatment, and when to see your healthcare provider.
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Symptoms of Pelvic Pain
Characteristics of pelvic pain vary based on the underlying cause. It can be acute (sudden), chronic (lasting more than six months), persistent, or intermittent (come and go).
Pelvicpainmay be sharp, dull, crampy, or throbbing and can radiate to the lower back, groin, or upper thighs.Sometimes the pain occurs during certain activities, such as urinating (peeing), having sexual intercourse, or exercising.
Causes of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain develops frominflammation, injury, or pressure from organs or structures in differentbody systems. Noting symptoms that accompany it can help identify the source.
Appendicitis
Appendicitisoccurs when the appendix, a small tube attached to the large intestine, becomes inflamed. This is an emergency and typically requiressurgery.
The pain starts in the mid-abdominal region but usually moves to the lower-right abdomen or pelvis. It usually gets worse with time and movement. Other symptoms include:
Ovarian Torsion
Ovarian torsionis rare, but it is an emergency.It occurs when anovaryrotates around the ligaments holding it in place. This restricts blood flow and causes severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Ruptured Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian cystsare sacs that develop around the ovary. They often resolve on their own but become an emergency when they rupture, causing severe sudden pain. Before they rupture, ovarian cysts may cause pressure on one side.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnanciesoccur when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, typically in thefallopiantubes. This becomes an emergency when thefallopian tuberuptures and causes:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID becomes an emergency when it causes severe pain, fainting, vomiting, and a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Urinary System
Infections, inflammation, and stones in the urinary system can cause pelvic pain. For example,kidney stonescause cramping or sharp pains that come and go in the lower back and can radiate to the pelvis.
Other symptoms include:
Female Reproductive System
In addition to the previously mentioned female reproductive system problems, other concerns include:
Male Reproductive System
Trauma, infection, or inflammation inmale reproductive organssuch as the testicles orprostatecan cause acute or chronic pelvic pain.
Accompanying symptoms may include:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
WithSTIssuch asgonorrheaandchlamydia, the following symptoms may accompany pelvic pain:
Gastrointestinal
Aninguinal herniais a bulge from the intestine into the groin. It is more common in men and can cause pain in the testicles. Symptoms may worsen with lifting, coughing, or bending.
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletalproblems include a broken pelvis, inflammation, nerve entrapment, andfibromyalgia. Pain characteristics range from muscle spasms to burning nerve pain.
What Medications Can Cause Pelvic Pain?
Medications that can affect organs within the pelvic or abdominal area include:
How to Treat Pelvic Pain
Treating pelvic pain depends on the cause and may include:
Complications and Risk Factors Associated With Pelvic Pain
Ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, and ruptured appendix are emergencies and typically require surgery.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Early diagnosis and treatment can help decrease those risks.
When ovarian cysts rupture, an infection that leads tosepsiscan develop.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Pelvic Pain?
Exams
In addition to a history and physical, your healthcare provider may also perform the following:
Labwork
Diagnostic lab testing such as urine, blood, and stool tests check for pregnancy, infection, inflammation, and more.
Imaging
Imaging tests may include:
Advanced Testing
Acolonoscopyorlaparoscopicsurgery may be needed to visualize your internal organs if imaging results are not clear.
See a healthcare provider when pelvic pain does not quickly resolve on its own or if you have any of the following symptoms:
When to Call 911If you’re experiencing severe, persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, call 911 immediately. Additionally, if you are experiencing shoulder pain, weakness, dizziness, fainting, or severe vomiting with pelvic or abdominal pain, call 911 immediately.
When to Call 911
If you’re experiencing severe, persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, call 911 immediately. Additionally, if you are experiencing shoulder pain, weakness, dizziness, fainting, or severe vomiting with pelvic or abdominal pain, call 911 immediately.
Summary
Characteristics of pelvic pain vary based on the cause. Severe, persistent pelvic pain can indicate an emergency such as appendicitis, ovarian torsion, ruptured ovarian cysts, or ectopic pregnancy. Problems in the organs or structures in the reproductive, urinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems cause pelvic pain. The cause of pelvic pain determines treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Other types of pelvic pain can be extremely uncomfortable and interrupt your daily life. It may feel awkward to talk with your healthcare provider about topics such as sex or bowel movements. Rest assured, they are used to this type of conversation and want to know your symptoms so they can help you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCauses originate from organs or structures in multiple body systems. Severe, persistent pelvic pain is an emergency and could be due to appendicitis, ovarian torsion, ruptured ovarian cyst, or an ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pinched nerves, menstrual cramping, constipation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and kidney stones are other possible causes.Pelvic pain is treated based on the cause. For example, an infection requires antibiotics, musculoskeletal disorders may require topical pain creams, steroids, or nerve blocks, and severe, persistent pain may require surgery.Pain in your pelvis, the area between your hips, varies and can be dull, nagging, sharp, burning, or crampy. The variation depends on the cause.
Causes originate from organs or structures in multiple body systems. Severe, persistent pelvic pain is an emergency and could be due to appendicitis, ovarian torsion, ruptured ovarian cyst, or an ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pinched nerves, menstrual cramping, constipation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and kidney stones are other possible causes.
Pelvic pain is treated based on the cause. For example, an infection requires antibiotics, musculoskeletal disorders may require topical pain creams, steroids, or nerve blocks, and severe, persistent pain may require surgery.
Pain in your pelvis, the area between your hips, varies and can be dull, nagging, sharp, burning, or crampy. The variation depends on the cause.
17 Sources
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