Pelvic Pain

Symptoms of pelvic pain

Pelvic pain varies. It may affect a small area around your pelvis (your lower tummy), your lower back or the whole area.

Types of pelvic pain include:

a sharp, stabbing or burning pain that happens suddenly
a pain that comes on slowly but does not go away
a dull or heavy ache, or feeling of pressure
a twisted or knotted feeling
a cramping or throbbing pain, which may come and go
pain only when you're doing something, like exercising, having sex or peeing

Common causes of pelvic pain

Pelvic pain can be caused by many things. It might be caused by an infection, or a condition that affects organs in the pelvic area such as the bowel or bladder.

Getting diagnosed may take some time. The symptoms of pelvic pain are very similar to other common conditions. It's important to share as much information with your doctor as possible.

Pelvic pain can affect anyone. Common causes of pelvic pain include:

Some causes of pelvic pain can be serious and need urgent treatment. This includes conditions such as appendicitis and peritonitis that require surgery.

Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried about pelvic pain.

Pelvic pain in women

Pelvic pain is more common in women and common causes include:

period pain
conditions affecting female reproductive organs, such as an ovarian cyst or endometriosis
pelvic pain in pregnancy

Rarely it could be something more serious, such as an ectopic pregnancy, womb cancer, ovarian cancer or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Pelvic pain in men

Pelvic pain can sometimes be caused by an inguinal hernia, or conditions affecting the testicles or prostate, such as prostatitis.

See a GP if:

you have pelvic pain that comes and goes or does not go away
you have bloating that comes and goes or does not go away
you're losing weight without trying to
you feel full quickly or have no appetite
you have constipation or diarrhoea that does not go away

Get help from NHS 111 if:

You have pelvic pain and:

you find it difficult to pee or poo
there's blood in your pee or poo
you have unusual discharge, fluid or bleeding from your vagina
you have pain when peeing or need to pee more than usual
you have a very high temperature (or you feel hot, cold or shivery)
you have vomiting and diarrhoea, or you feel sick
you are pregnant or may be pregnant

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

If you are 20 weeks pregnant or more, contact your midwife or maternity unit.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You have pelvic pain and:

it's severe, getting worse, or hurts when you move or touch the area
you feel faint, dizzy or lightheaded, or pass out
you have pain in the tip of your shoulder
you have difficulty breathing
you have heavy bleeding from your vagina
you suddenly feel confused

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Treatments for pelvic pain

Any treatment for pelvic pain will depend on the cause.

A GP might suggest treatments such as:

antibiotics
painkillers
physiotherapy, such as exercises for the pelvic floor muscles
hormone treatments

They may refer you for tests or to a specialist if they do not know what is causing your pain.

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