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.
The pain occurs when the muscles of the uterus (womb) contract or tighten. It often feels like cramping or a heaviness in the pelvic area, lower back or stomach. Despite it being a common feature of getting your period, if the pain is severe, it could be an indicator of something more serious, such as endometriosis.
Pelvic pain occurs mostly in the lower abdomen area. The pain might be steady, or it might come and go. It can be a sharp and stabbing pain in a specific spot, or a dull pain that is spread out. If the pain is severe, it might get in the way of your daily activities.
Abdominal pain occurs in the area between the chest and groin, also called the belly. Pelvic pain occurs in the lowest portion of the abdomen (below the belly button) and in the pelvis. Pain in these areas can be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, and mild, moderate, or severe.
While the experience of pelvic pain varies greatly, general signs and symptoms include: Sharp or dull ache in your pelvic area. Steady pain or discomfort that comes and goes. Pain during sex.
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.
Chronic pelvic pain can be due to more than one condition. Pelvic pain can start in the digestive, reproductive or urinary systems. Some pelvic pain also can come from certain muscles or ligaments — for example, by pulling a muscle in the hip or the pelvic floor.
Fever, chills, or vaginal discharge: Infection. Abdominal pain, change in stool habits, or rectal bleeding: Gastrointestinal disorders. Urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, or hematuria: Urinary disorders.
But a large ovarian cyst can cause: Pelvic pain that may come and go. You may feel a dull ache or a sharp pain in the area below your bellybutton toward one side. Fullness, pressure or heaviness in your belly (abdomen).
Ovulation pain (or mittelschmerz) is pain that occurs each month when you ovulate or release an egg. Ovulation happens about halfway through your menstrual cycle. Ovary pain during ovulation typically feels like a dull ache on just one side of your pelvis. This is because only one ovary releases an egg at a time.
The space below contains the bladder, rectum, and part of the descending colon. In females, the pelvis also houses the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
30-40% of chronic pelvic pain cases are associated with pelvic congestion syndrome. [1] Low back pain and pelvic heaviness are common symptoms associated with PCS and the symptoms tend to be exacerbated by standing, intercourse, and menstruation.
Pelvic pressure or groin pressure can be a sign of a vascular condition. If you experience severe period cramps or irregular periods, you may have a heightened risk of vascular conditions later in your life.
Gastrointestinal issues, like constipation, or even more serious conditions, like appendicitis or diverticulitis, can result in pain or discomfort that can be mistaken for ovarian pain. When intense, ovarian pain can signify a ruptured ovarian cyst or appendicitis.
Sometimes, an ovarian cyst is found or suspected during a pelvic examination. However, an imaging test is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests may also be done depending on the situation. Imaging tests — The imaging test most commonly used is a pelvic or "transvaginal" ultrasound.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that occurs in your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. Sexually transmitted infections typically cause it. Symptoms include stomach, lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge.
Menstrual cramping is a common cause of pelvic pain. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pain is the most common symptom of all menstrual disorders. Over half of people who menstruate will experience some pain for at least 1–2 days each cycle.
This problem should be discussed with your gynecologist or primary health care provider. While chronic pelvic pain often is caused by an abnormal function of the nervous system, it may be linked to other types of conditions, including: Psychological conditions (anxiety, depression) Gastrointestinal conditions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chronic pelvic pain sometimes isn't only due to problems with reproductive organs or the urinary tract; other organs in the pelvic area, if "diseased," can present as pelvic pain. Irritable bowel syndrome, an intestinal condition that often causes pain, may be the cause.
Pelvic pain or pressure is common for ovarian and uterine cancers. More frequent or urgent need to urinate and/or constipation are common for ovarian and vaginal cancers.
If you've suffered pelvic pain for more than six months, it's time to do something about it. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away, and it can mean your condition gets worse and interferes with your life.
Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease might cause scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the reproductive tract. These can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs. Complications from this damage might include: Ectopic pregnancy.