What causes pelvic pain?

Pain may feel cramp-like, sharp, burning, heavy or sore, and it may be felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, back or during sex. Adenomyosis can cause painful periods and pelvic discomfort. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection affecting reproductive organs and may occur with unusual discharge, fever or pain during sex. Interstitial cystitis can cause bladder-area pain with urinary urgency. Ovarian cysts may cause one-sided discomfort; ovarian torsion causes sudden severe pain and needs urgent assessment. Digestive, urinary and pelvic-floor causes can feel similar, so the location alone cannot identify the cause.

Record when the pain began, where it is, how it changes with periods, urination, bowel movements or sex, and any bleeding, discharge, fever or nausea. A clinician may ask about pregnancy possibility, examine your abdomen and pelvis, and arrange urine or pregnancy testing and imaging when appropriate. Treatment depends on the cause; it may include targeted medicines, such as Antibiotic Treatment for Pelvic Infection, or hormone-focused care such as GnRH Analogue Therapy.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe or worsening pain, faintness, heavy bleeding, fever with pelvic pain, repeated vomiting, a rigid or swollen abdomen, or pain when pregnancy is possible. Arrange a medical review for pain that persists, returns, affects daily activities, or occurs with bleeding after sex, urinary changes or unusual discharge.

Could the pain be related to my periods, bladder, bowel, infection or an ovarian condition? What examination or tests would clarify the cause? Which symptoms should prompt urgent help?