Although pelvic pain often refers to pain in the region of women’s (and people assigned female at birth’s, AFAB) reproductive organs, it can be present in all sexes and can stem from other causes. Pelvic pain might be a symptom of infection or arise from pain in your pelvic bone or nonreproductive internal organs. But in women and people AFAB, pelvic pain can very well be an indication that there might be a problem with one of the reproductive organs in their pelvic area (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina).
What causes pelvic pain?
There are many reasons why you may develop pelvic pain, including:
- Appendicitis.
- Bladder disorders (such as urinary tract infections).
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Kidney infection or kidney stones.
- Intestinal disorders (such as diverticulitis or colitis).
- Nerve conditions (such as pinched nerves of your spine).
- Hernia.
- Pelvis disorders (such as tightness and spasm of pelvic muscles).
- Broken pelvic bones.
- Psychogenic pain (pain related to stress or psychological traumas from the past).
Possible pelvic pain causes in women and AFAB include:
- Pregnancy.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Miscarriage.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Ovulation.
- Menstrual cramps.
- Ovarian cysts or other ovarian disorders.
- Uterine fibroids.
- Endometriosis.
- Cervical cancer.
- Uterine cancer.
- Ovarian cancer.
What are the symptoms related to pelvic pain?
Pelvic pain may be accompanied by other symptoms or warning signs. Some of the most common pelvic pain symptoms include:
- Vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge.
- Menstrual pain.
- Dysuria (painful urination).
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Bloating or gas.
- Rectal bleeding (bleeding when you poop).
- Pain during sex.
- Fever or chills.
- Hip pain.
- Pain in your groin area.