Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhere Is Pelvic Pain Located?Causes in All SexesPelvic Pain in FemalesPelvic Pain in MalesWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Where Is Pelvic Pain Located?
Causes in All Sexes
Pelvic Pain in Females
Pelvic Pain in Males
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatment
Pelvic pain is often described as a dull ache, pain, or pressure in the abdomen below the navel. The pain may be constant, or it may come and go. It can also include other symptoms, such asabnormal vaginal bleedingand lower back pain. Because pelvic pain can have so many causes, treatments vary.
Both men and women can experience pelvic pain related to the urinary or gastrointestinal tracts. In females, pelvic pain is often due to conditions that affect the reproductive system, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or anectopic pregnancy.
It’s important to see your healthcare provider if you have any type of pelvic pain that does not resolve on its own.
This article discusses pelvic pain in men and women. It explores possible causes of pelvic pain and symptoms that help differentiate between pelvic conditions. It also explains potential treatments for pelvic pain and when to seek urgent medical care.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Pelvic pain is located in the lower torso. The pelvic cavity is the bowl-like structure that starts at the top of your hip bone (about level with your navel) and ends at the groin.
The base of the pelvis is made up of a network of muscles and ligaments known as the pelvic floor. This structure supports the bladder, rectum, descending colon, and reproductive organs. Problems with any of these organs or muscles can result in pelvic pain.
Some causes of pelvic pain can occur regardless of sex. Structures that are common to both men and women can be a source of pelvic pain. Some common causes are listed below.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndromeis afunctional gastrointestinal disorder. Common symptoms include:
Urinary Tract Infection
Aurinary tract infection(UTI) is typically a bacterial infection of the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. Symptoms of a UTI may include:
UTIs in Older AdultsIn older people, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be less obvious, such as:General discomfortDisorientationFatigueWeaknessIncontinenceFallingBehavioral changes
UTIs in Older Adults
In older people, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be less obvious, such as:General discomfortDisorientationFatigueWeaknessIncontinenceFallingBehavioral changes
In older people, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be less obvious, such as:
Kidney Stones
What’s Causing My Abdominal Pain When Peeing? 14 Potential Reasons
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections(STIs) include many different diseases that can be spread through sexual contact. There are many different kinds of STIs, and symptoms vary depending on the specific infection. Potential symptoms may include:
Appendicitis
Appendicitisis an acute and severe inflammation of part of the intestines called the appendix. It requires immediate medical attention. Signs of appendicitis include:
Tests for Appendicitis
Cystitis
The female reproductive system may be the cause ofpelvic pain for women. Almost any structure in the abdomen can be a potential source of pain, so see your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening pain. Some causes of pelvic pain in females include:
Ectopic Pregnancy
In anectopic pregnancy, an embryo (fertilized egg) implants outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube.At the start, it may feel like a normal pregnancy. Other symptoms may include:
If the fallopian tube ruptures, it can be a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms of a rupture may include severe pain, bleeding, a drop in blood pressure, fainting, and shock. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy requires immediate medical care.
Pregnancy
Mild pelvic and lower back pain and cramping are normal in a healthy pregnancy. More severe pelvic pain, known as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, occurs in one-quarter to two-thirds of pregnancies.
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain typically begins in the second or third trimester. The pain is due to a combination of weight gain and hormones. One hormone in particular, relaxin, relaxes the ligaments, muscles, and joints in the pelvis in preparation for childbirth.
Types of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy includesymphysis pubis dysfunctionorround ligament pain. Both can cause sharp shooting pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread over your:
Symphysis pubis dysfunction can also cause clicking, grinding, or snapping sensations or sounds.
If you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy, tell your ob-gyn, who may recommend pelvic floor therapy.Other treatments may include wearing a pelvic support band, hydrotherapy, chiropractic treatment, and massage.
What Can Cause Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Symptoms of PID may include:
Endometriosis
Endometriosiscauses tissue that’s normally found in the lining of the uterus to grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or intestines. Symptoms of endometriosis may include pain during:
Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare benign (noncancerous) tumors in the uterus. They may cause symptoms including:
Stop Period Pain Immediately: How to Take Care of Yourself
Cancers of the Reproductive Tract
Pelvic pain can be a symptom of one of thegynecologic cancers, but pain is more likely when the cancer has progressed. While the general symptoms may be similar, the various types do have some key differences. These include:
RecapPelvic pain in women is often connected to the reproductive system. Some causes of pelvic pain are uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and cancer.
Recap
Pelvic pain in women is often connected to the reproductive system. Some causes of pelvic pain are uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and cancer.
14 Causes of Groin Pain in Women
Pelvic pain in men is also related to their anatomy and reproductive organs. Some common causes of pain are discussed below.
Prostatitis
Prostatitisis inflammation of the prostate gland. Once irritated, the prostate swells. Prostatitis can also cause swelling in the areas around the prostate, leading to pelvic pain and painful urination.Other symptoms of prostatitis include:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)is an enlarged prostate. It is more common as men get older. Symptoms of BPH may include:
Urethral Stricture
Urethral strictureis the medical term for a narrowedurethra—the tube where urine exits the body. Symptoms of this condition may include:
Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome
Avasectomyis a surgical procedure to stop sperm from exiting the penis and is used as a type of permanent birth control. Sometimes, people develop chronic pain after a vasectomy, calledpost-vasectomy pain syndrome. Symptoms may include:
If you experience sudden, severe pelvic pain, seek medical care immediately. Appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy are some life-threatening emergencies that may require immediate surgery.
If you are menstruating, 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 pain levels (a condition called dysmenorrhea).
RecapA healthcare provider will diagnose the reason for your pelvic pain based on your medical history, a physical exam, and possibly imaging tests.
A healthcare provider will diagnose the reason for your pelvic pain based on your medical history, a physical exam, and possibly imaging tests.
How Pelvic Pain Is Treated
Depending on the cause, chronic pelvic pain may also respond to physical therapy and pelvic floor exercises.If you have chronic pelvic pain, you may also benefit from speaking to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Treating Pelvic Pain at Home
Many causes of pelvic pain are best treated under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This is why it’s important to see your healthcare provider if you have unresolved pelvic pain of any kind.
There are things you can also do at home to help relieve chronic pelvic pain. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. Heating pads can be effective at relieving pain as well.
Exercising or practicing yoga can also increase blood flow and help manage the stress and tension that could be contributing to your pain.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Pelvic pain can be due to a variety of causes. Work with your healthcare team to determine what is causing your pain and how it can best be treated. If you are experiencing pelvic pain with no known cause, call your healthcare provider. If your pain is sudden or severe, you should go to the emergency room.
29 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McEvoy A, Tetrokalashvili M.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: female pelvic cavity. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.National Association for Continence.Urinary tract infections in adults.Khan SR, Pearle MS, Robertson WG, et al.Kidney stones.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16008. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.8Urology Care Foundation.Kidney stones.National Health Service (NHS).Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cystitis—acute.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.Wuytack F, Begley C, Daly D.Risk factors for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: a scoping review.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):739. doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03442-5Howell ER.Pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction management and postpartum rehabilitation: two case reports.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(2):102-111.Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K.Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485–93. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-197. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Pakish JB, Lu KH, Sun CC, et al.Endometrial cancer associated symptoms: a case-control study.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(11):1187-1192. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5657American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.Urology Care Foundation.Prostatitis (infection of the prostate).Lee SWH, Chan EMC, Lai Y.The global burden of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep.2017;7(1):7984. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06628-8National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.Sinha V, Ramasamy R.Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: diagnosis, management and treatment options.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(S1):S44-S47. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.05.33Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pelvic floor muscle training exercises.
29 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McEvoy A, Tetrokalashvili M.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: female pelvic cavity. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.National Association for Continence.Urinary tract infections in adults.Khan SR, Pearle MS, Robertson WG, et al.Kidney stones.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16008. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.8Urology Care Foundation.Kidney stones.National Health Service (NHS).Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cystitis—acute.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.Wuytack F, Begley C, Daly D.Risk factors for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: a scoping review.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):739. doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03442-5Howell ER.Pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction management and postpartum rehabilitation: two case reports.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(2):102-111.Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K.Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485–93. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-197. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Pakish JB, Lu KH, Sun CC, et al.Endometrial cancer associated symptoms: a case-control study.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(11):1187-1192. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5657American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.Urology Care Foundation.Prostatitis (infection of the prostate).Lee SWH, Chan EMC, Lai Y.The global burden of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep.2017;7(1):7984. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06628-8National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.Sinha V, Ramasamy R.Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: diagnosis, management and treatment options.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(S1):S44-S47. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.05.33Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pelvic floor muscle training exercises.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
McEvoy A, Tetrokalashvili M.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: female pelvic cavity. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.National Association for Continence.Urinary tract infections in adults.Khan SR, Pearle MS, Robertson WG, et al.Kidney stones.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16008. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.8Urology Care Foundation.Kidney stones.National Health Service (NHS).Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cystitis—acute.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ectopic pregnancy.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.Wuytack F, Begley C, Daly D.Risk factors for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: a scoping review.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):739. doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03442-5Howell ER.Pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction management and postpartum rehabilitation: two case reports.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(2):102-111.Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K.Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485–93. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-197. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Pakish JB, Lu KH, Sun CC, et al.Endometrial cancer associated symptoms: a case-control study.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(11):1187-1192. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5657American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.Urology Care Foundation.Prostatitis (infection of the prostate).Lee SWH, Chan EMC, Lai Y.The global burden of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep.2017;7(1):7984. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06628-8National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.Sinha V, Ramasamy R.Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: diagnosis, management and treatment options.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(S1):S44-S47. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.05.33Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pelvic floor muscle training exercises.
McEvoy A, Tetrokalashvili M.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: female pelvic cavity. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of irritable bowel syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.
National Association for Continence.Urinary tract infections in adults.
Khan SR, Pearle MS, Robertson WG, et al.Kidney stones.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16008. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.8
Urology Care Foundation.Kidney stones.
National Health Service (NHS).Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cystitis—acute.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Ectopic pregnancy.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.
Wuytack F, Begley C, Daly D.Risk factors for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: a scoping review.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):739. doi:10.1186/s12884-020-03442-5
Howell ER.Pregnancy-related symphysis pubis dysfunction management and postpartum rehabilitation: two case reports.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(2):102-111.
Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K.Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485–93. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.
Das BB, Ronda J, Trent M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: improving awareness, prevention, and treatment.Infect Drug Resist.2016;9:191-197. doi:10.2147/IDR.S91260
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Uterine fibroids.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Pakish JB, Lu KH, Sun CC, et al.Endometrial cancer associated symptoms: a case-control study.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(11):1187-1192. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5657
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.
Urology Care Foundation.Prostatitis (infection of the prostate).
Lee SWH, Chan EMC, Lai Y.The global burden of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep.2017;7(1):7984. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06628-8
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.
Sinha V, Ramasamy R.Post-vasectomy pain syndrome: diagnosis, management and treatment options.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(S1):S44-S47. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.05.33
Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Period problems.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pelvic floor muscle training exercises.
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