What does pelvic pain feel like?
Pelvic pain is pain in the area below the belly button and between the hips. Pelvic pain can be intermittent or constantly ongoing and is considered to be chronic if it lasts longer than six months. Many patients report:
- Sharp or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen
- Dull, aching pain in the pelvic area
- Pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Painful urination
- Pain during bowel movements
- Lower back pain
- Abdominal bloating or pressure
- Pain radiating to the thighs or lower back
- Increased pain with activity or prolonged sitting
With chronic pelvic pain (also called pelvic congestion syndrome), you may also experience sharp pain, abdominal pain and irregular vaginal bleeding.
How is pelvic pain diagnosed?
Pelvic pain can be a sign of a problem with one of the reproductive organs in your pelvic area, such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or cervix.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider.
Bring questions and concerns you may have. Some women find it helpful to take notes documenting their pelvic pain, when and where it occurs, how it feels, and what, if anything, makes it feel better.
We will go over your personal histories, such as sexual activity and medical history, conduct a complete physical exam as well as a pelvic exam, and may recommend imaging tests such as:
- Ultrasound
- Colonoscopy
- Laparoscopy – inserting a small camera through a tiny incision to view the internal organs
- Cystoscopy – using a thin, lensed tube to look inside the urethra or bladder
- Sigmoidoscopy – inserting a tiny camera on the tip of a tube to view the rectum and lower portion of the intestines
What causes pelvic pain?
Chronic pelvic pain is a complex health problem. Sometimes, tests may find that a single disease is the cause. In other cases, the pain may stem from multiple medical conditions.
Some possible causes of chronic pelvic pain include:
- Endometriosis
- Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Uterine fibroids (abnormal growths on or in the uterine wall)
- Adenomyosis
- Ovarian cysts
- Pelvic adhesions
- Hernia
- Gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Kidney stones
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- menstrual cramps
- Psychological factors such as stress or depression
How is pelvic pain treated?
Treatment for pelvic pain depends upon the particular diagnosis.
Strengthening your body
Improving your posture and regular exercise may help relieve certain types of pelvic pain. If you’re not sure where to begin, your doctor can instruct you.
Antibiotics
If an illness caused by bacteria is the source of your pain, you may need antibiotics.
Pain-relieving medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended for pain management.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy may ease trigger points and relieve muscular pain. Other therapies, like acupuncture and acupressure, have helped relieve chronic pelvic pain. You might also try biofeedback, a therapy that trains you to monitor and relax your body using a special machine.
Surgery
If the pain results from a problem with one of the pelvic organs, the treatment may involve surgery or other procedures, including:
-
- Laparoscopy. If you have endometriosis, this minimally invasive surgery can treat or remove the tissue outside of the uterus that causes pain.
- Hysterectomy. In rare cases, you may need surgery to remove your uterus, called hysterectomy. You also may need to have one or both ovaries removed. This is called oophorectomy. Dr. Aliabadi performs both of these surgeries laparoscopically.
Make an appointment with Dr. Thais Aliabadi
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Aliabadi and receive personalized expert care.
As one of the nation’s leading OB/GYNs, Beverly Hills’ Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi offers the very best in women’s health and well-being. With her warm, professional team, Dr. Aliabadi supports women through all phases of life and fosters a special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.
Dr. Aliabadi specializes in up-to-date, minimally invasive surgical techniques, promising her patients shorter recovery times, reduced pain, and the most minor interruption to their daily lives.
We also invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700 for general inquiries.
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of, or suffering from Pelvic Pain, or have questions about it, please see your doctor.
We also invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please click here to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863- 6700.
We also invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please click here to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863- 6700.
Pelvic pain FAQs
Can constipation cause pelvic pain?
Yes, constipation can cause pelvic pain. When stool builds up in the intestines, it can create pressure and discomfort in the pelvic area.
Can STDs cause chronic pain in the pelvis?
STDs that can cause pelvic pain include chlamydia and gonorrhea. Additionally, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), often caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea, can also cause pelvic pain. Without treatment, PID can cause irreversible scarring to the pelvic organs and lead to infertility
Can appendicitis cause pelvic pain?
If you have severe pain in the lower right part of your belly, are vomiting, and have a fever, it could be appendicitis. If you have these symptoms, go to the ER. An infected appendix may need surgery.
Pelvic pain and ovulation: is there a connection?
Some women experience a type of pelvic pain known as “mittelschmerz” during ovulation. This pain typically occurs in the lower abdomen, on one side, corresponding to the ovary releasing an egg.
Resources
Neuromodulation of pelvic visceral pain: review of the literature and case series of potential novel targets for treatment – PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22521096
Evaluation of Acute Pelvic Pain in Women | AAFP https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2010/0715/p141.html
Supported by her warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi treats women through all phases of life and cherishes the special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.