In some instances, the reason for the pain is not something to worry about and would go away on its own. In other cases, medical attention might be necessary.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 11, 2019. It has since been updated.
Pelvic pain is felt between the belly button and the groin in women. It may happen suddenly and acutely or it might be chronic, where you experience it for months. The reason for the pain could be one or many. Many of the conditions leading to pelvic pain can have similar symptoms making it hard to figure out the reason for the pain. It could also happen because of menstrual cramps, ovulation, or a gastrointestinal issue such as food intolerance.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the common reasons for it. This happens when the bladder is inflamed due to bacterial infection. The source could be vaginal, rectal, or skin bacteria entering the urethra and making its way into the bladder. This can usually clear up on its own but a short course of antibiotics is generally prescribed, according to Medical News Today.
Here are some other reasons for pelvic pain:
It is possible to experience chronic bladder inflammation with the reason not known. It is called interstitial cystitis and medical practitioners don't know yet why it happens. This condition can cause pelvic pain along with painful urination, needing to urinate frequently, and pain during sex. In this case, the only solution is pain management since there is no treatment, according to Medical News Today.
You will experience painful swelling of the appendix if you have appendicitis. The appendix is a small organ situated on the lower right-hand side of your tummy and that is where you will feel the pain, according to NHS UK. Appendicitis is common and the pain can be severe. If you're also experiencing symptoms like vomiting and fever, you should seek medical help.
Ovarian cysts are common and most of them are noncancerous. A cyst occurs when the ovaries fail to release an egg since the follicle doesn't open to release it. A cyst forms in the area when it happens that can cause bloating, pressure, or pelvic pain on the side of the pelvis with the cyst. They go away on their own mostly or might bleed or burst, causing sharp and severe pain in the pelvis. That would require medical treatment.
This is a bacterial infection of the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries that occurs after sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea. This would need immediate treatment with antibiotics, according to NHS UK. When the infection takes place in the womb, it can damage the surrounding tissue. It is generally accompanied by pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, and bleeding. It can also increase the risk of infertility in women.
This is similar to having varicose veins in the legs. Instead, it affects the pelvis. The blood goes in the wrong direction in the veins enlarging and engorging them, according to WebMD. It can lead to chronic pain for women. The condition is accompanied by pain starting from 7-10 days before your period, pain when you stand or sit, lower back pain, pain in the legs and while having sex. You could feel relieved of pain when you lie down.
In this condition, the cells that are supposed to be inside the uterus grow outside on other organs like the ovaries, bladder, or rectum. If that is the case, you could also be facing symptoms like pelvic pain around your period, pain during or after sex, pain during ovulation or bowel movements. You could also be experiencing infertility because of this.
These are noncancerous tumors that grow in and on the wall of the uterus. Not all the women who have this condition experience pain or other symptoms. However, if you have fibroids you could also be experiencing heavy periods, feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdomen, the need to urinate frequently, cramps during periods, constipation, and hemorrhoids, according to WebMD.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/causes-symptoms-chronic-pelvic-pain
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
