Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain is felt in the lower part of your tummy. The type of pain varies, and it may be sudden and severe (acute pelvic pain) or last 6 months or longer (chronic pelvic pain).
Pelvic pain varies. It may affect a small area around your pelvis (your lower tummy) 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
There are lots of causes of pelvic pain. It might be caused by an infection or a condition affecting one of the organs in the pelvic area, such as the bowel or bladder.
Common causes include:
- constipation or irritable bowel syndrome
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Most causes of pelvic pain are not serious. But there a few conditions that cause pelvic pain and need emergency treatment, such as appendicitis and peritonitis.
But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.
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, like an ectopic pregnancy, womb cancer or ovarian cancer.
Pelvic pain in men
Pelvic pain can sometimes be caused by conditions affecting the prostate, such as prostatitis.
See a GP if:
- pelvic pain does not go away
- you have been feeling bloated for a while (about 3 weeks)
- you're losing weight without trying to
- there's blood in your pee or poo, or an unusual discharge or bleeding from your vagina
- you have constipation or diarrhoea that does not go away
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You have pelvic pain and:
- it's severe, getting worse or hurts when you move or touch the area
- you find it difficult to pee or poo
- you have pain when peeing or need to pee more than usual
- you have a very high temperature (you feel hot and shivery)
- you are pregnant or may be pregnant
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
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.
Self-refer for treatment
If you have pelvic pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the receptionist staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery's website
- contact your local integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
- search online for NHS treatment for pelvic pain near you
