Pelvic pain can be easy to brush off, especially if you are used to cramps, bloating, or discomfort around your period. You might even tell yourself it’s “probably normal” or that it will go away on its own.

Sometimes pelvic pain is temporary and not serious, but pain is also your body’s way of getting your attention. When pelvic pain is new, worsening, severe, or interfering with your daily life, you should consider discussing it with a healthcare provider.

Pelvic Pain Causes WFMC Health

What Does Pelvic Pain Feel Like?

Pelvic pain can come from many different parts of the body below your belly button, including the reproductive organs, bladder, bowel, muscles, joints, or nerves. It can feel sharp, dull, crampy, heavy, burning, or achy. It might come and go, or it could be present most of the time.

You might notice pain:

  • During your period
  • Between periods
  • During or after sex
  • When urinating
  • During bowel movements
  • After exercise
  • While sitting for long periods
  • During pregnancy or postpartum recovery

Pain that lasts for several months is called chronic pelvic pain, which can be connected to reproductive, digestive, urinary, muscular, skeletal, and nerve-related causes.

Common Causes of Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain doesn’t always have one simple cause. Sometimes the pain can be attributed to more than one issue.

Common causes of pelvic pain can include:

  • Menstrual cramps
  • Ovulation pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Bladder pain conditions
  • Constipation or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Pelvic floor muscle tension
  • Lower back, hip, or muscle problems

You don’t need to assume the worst when it comes to pelvic pain, but pain that is new or different deserves attention.

When Pelvic Pain May Be Related to Your Period

Some cramping with your period can be common. But “common” doesn’t mean it’s something you have to suffer through without help.

Talk with a provider if your period pain:

  • Keeps you home from school, work, or regular activities
  • Does not improve with typical comfort measures
  • Has gotten worse over time
  • Comes with heavy bleeding
  • Happens with pain during sex, bowel movements, or urination

Severe menstrual pain can sometimes be related to conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids. Your healthcare provider can help you sort through your symptoms and discuss next steps.

Pelvic Pain and Your Bladder or Bowels

Pelvic pain isn’t always related to your uterus, ovaries, or menstrual cycle. Your bladder and digestive system are also in the pelvic area.

You may notice symptoms like a burning sensation when you pee, feeling like you need to pee often or urgently, pain that improves or worsens after using the bathroom, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or nausea.

Because these symptoms can overlap, it’s helpful to share the full picture with your provider.

Do Not Ignore Pain During Sex

Experiencing pain during sex can feel embarrassing to talk about, but it is a health concern worth discussing. You deserve to be heard and taken seriously.

Pain with sex can be related to vaginal dryness, infections, pelvic floor muscle tension, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, hormonal changes, or other causes. It may also be connected to past trauma or emotional stress.

No matter the cause, you don’t need to “push through” pain. A healthcare provider can help you understand what may be causing it and what support is available.

Signs You Should Seek Care Right Away

Some pelvic pain symptoms should be treated as urgent. Get medical care right away if you have:

  • Sudden, severe pelvic pain
  • Pelvic pain with fever
  • Fainting, dizziness, or weakness
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Pain with a positive pregnancy test
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Pain after an injury
  • A rigid or very tender abdomen

Sudden and severe pelvic pain could be an emergency and should be evaluated right away. Ongoing pelvic pain should also be checked if it is new, worsening, or disrupting your daily life.

How to Prepare for an Appointment

It can be hard to describe your pain once you are sitting in the exam room. Taking a few notes ahead of time can help. Write down details like when the pain started, where you feel it, what it feels like, and how often it happens.

Other helpful notes could include: 

  • What makes it better or worse
  • Whether it is connected to your period
  • Any bleeding, discharge, fever, urinary symptoms, or bowel changes
  • Any chance of pregnancy
  • Any medications or home remedies you have tried

Even a few details can help your provider look for patterns.

What Your Provider May Recommend

Your provider will likely ask questions, do an exam, or recommend testing depending on your symptoms. This could include a urine test, pregnancy test, pelvic exam, STI testing, bloodwork, ultrasound, or other follow-up.

Treatment depends on the cause. For some people, pelvic floor physical therapy can be helpful when pain is connected to muscle tightness, coordination, or tension. For others, treating an infection, managing periods, addressing bowel symptoms, or changing medications can make a difference.

Your Pain Is Worth Taking Seriously

Pelvic pain can affect your mood, sleep, relationships, work, parenting, and overall quality of life. You do not have to wait until the pain is unbearable before asking for help.

You know your body. If something feels new, different, or concerning, trust yourself enough to bring it up. Getting answers may take time, but you deserve support and care along the way.

This article is meant for informational purposes only. If you have questions or would like further information, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

This blog post was first published on WFMCHealth.org.