Pubic bone pain often stems from musculoskeletal issues like Osteitis Pubis (inflammation from overuse, common in athletes) or Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (joint instability/relaxation), often worsened by pregnancy, sports, or gait changes, but it can also signal digestive (appendicitis), urinary (UTI, kidney stones), reproductive (PID, cysts, menstrual issues), or nerve problems, requiring a doctor's visit to pinpoint if it's activity-related or from another source.
Some individuals may have complained of pain in this particular bone area. In general, pubic bone pain can be caused by several specific medical conditions, such as osteitis pubis, osteomyelitis, and even sexually transmitted infections.
During pregnancy, the ovaries enlarge, making an ovary more likely to twist. Common causes of pelvic pain in general, which are also common causes during pregnancy, are digestive and urinary tract disorders, including the following: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Kidney stones.
Your pelvic joint can't move as comfortably due to pressure from the fetus. Your ligaments also loosen and stretch more easily, thanks to a hormone called relaxin. While stretching and loosening are great and allow your pelvis to expand, the movement to your pelvic joints can be too much.
Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around your pubic bones to support them better. It can also address any faulty movement patterns that may have caused small stresses to your joints over time. Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs can help reduce inflammation and any pain you're experiencing.
Suprapubic pain refers to discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, specifically below the umbilicus (belly button) and above the pubic bone. This type of pain can be dull, sharp, constant, or intermittent, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, or pelvic pressure.
A separated pubic symphysis can take 3 to 8 months to heal on its own. For most women with this condition, pain lasts for about 2 months after childbirth.
Pelvic pain in the third trimester
What's more, as baby drops into the head-down position, they put more strain on your pelvic floor, which can increase pain in your lower back, sacrum, tailbone, sacroiliac joint and the pubic symphysis.
Five critical warning signs in early pregnancy needing immediate care are vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal/pelvic pain, persistent headaches with vision changes, fever/chills, and severe nausea/vomiting, as these can signal serious issues like miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or infections, says Better Health Channel, Liv Hospital, and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. Seek prompt medical attention for these symptoms, especially if accompanied by dizziness or fainting, to ensure your and your baby's health, notes CDC and Texas DSHS.
It may be localized to the pelvic area or radiate to the lower back, buttocks, thighs, or groin. Some describe it as a deep, throbbing discomfort, while others experience constant, nagging pain or intermittent bursts of sharp pain.
PGP can happen at any time, but it usually starts between 14 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. It can also continue after your baby is born. The joints that most often cause pain are: the sacro-iliac joints (where your pelvic bones meet the lower part of your spine)
SPD in Pregnancy: Pain, Discomfort, and Looseness
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.
Pelvic pain red flags signaling a medical emergency include severe, sudden pain with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding (especially if pregnant), fainting, or signs of shock (rapid heart rate, low blood pressure). Other serious indicators are persistent post-coital bleeding, a new pelvic mass, significant unexplained weight loss, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or difficulty/pain with urination or bowel movements. These symptoms suggest serious underlying conditions like ectopic pregnancy, infection (PID, abscess), ovarian issues, or malignancy.
The lesser pelvis contains the pelvic colon, rectum, bladder, and some of the sex organs. The rectum is at the back, in the curve of the sacrum and coccyx; the bladder is in front, behind the pubic symphysis. In females, the uterus and vagina occupy the interval between these viscera.
Urine that looks red, bright pink or cola-colored. This can be a sign of blood in the urine. Pelvic pain. This pain occurs mostly in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 2 minutes each (or 1 minute long for some variations), for over 1 hour. It helps differentiate true labor from false labor (Braxton Hicks), signaling it's time to head to the birthing center, while subsequent pregnancies often follow the faster 5-1-1 rule.
You might experience some unusual signs of pregnancy like:
Main symptoms
It's not known exactly why pelvic pain affects some women, but it's thought to be linked to a number of issues, including previous damage to the pelvis, pelvic joints moving unevenly, and the weight or position of the baby.
Five key warning signs during pregnancy needing immediate medical attention include vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with vision changes, decreased baby movement, severe abdominal pain/cramping, and signs of preterm labor like regular contractions or fluid leakage, as these can signal serious issues like miscarriage, preeclampsia, placental problems, or infection. Always contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care for these symptoms.
While many types of pelvic pain during pregnancy are not dangerous, some symptoms may signal a more serious issue. You should call your OB/GYN right away if you experience: Persistent or severe pelvic pain. Pain accompanied by fever, chills, or nausea.
Sudden and severe pelvic pain could be an emergency. Get medical care right away. Be sure to get pelvic pain checked by your doctor or other health care professional if it's new, it disrupts your daily life or it gets worse over time.
Pelvic pain
If you're experiencing pelvic pain during your period or during intercourse, it is imperative that you visit your doctor. These symptoms could be signs of a hormonal imbalance creating endometriosis (implants of tissue outside the uterus), fibroids (which are estrogen driven), or ovarian cysts.
PGP used to be known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). PGP is common, affecting 1 in 5 pregnant women, and can affect your mobility and quality of life. Pain when you are walking, climbing stairs and turning over in bed are common symptoms of PGP. However, early diagnosis and treatment can relieve your pain.