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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffPelvic pain is pain in the lowest portion of your abdomen and pelvis. Usually, pelvic pain refers to symptoms in women, arising from the reproductive or urinary systems. Depending on its source, pelvic pain may be dull or sharp; it may be constant or off and on (intermittent); and it may be mild, moderate or severe. Pelvic pain can sometimes radiate to your lower back or thighs.
Chronic pelvic pain refers to any constant or intermittent pelvic pain that has been present for more than a few months.
Sometimes, you may notice pelvic pain only at certain times, such as during urination, menstruation or sexual activity.
References
- Chronic pelvic pain. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp099.cfm. Accessed April 11, 2011.
- Daniels JP, et al. Chronic pelvic pain in women. BMJ. 2010;341:772.
- Lipsky A. Acute pelvic pain in women. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 4, 2011.
- Pelvic pain, genital origin. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed April 12, 2011.
- Pelvic pain, chronic. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed April 12, 2011.
- Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/index.htm. Accessed April 12, 2011.
- Touma NJ, et al. Prostatis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men. Medical Clinics of North America. 2011;95:75.
- Vincent K. Chronic pelvic pain in women. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2009;85:24.
- Birnbaum SL. Approach to the patient with menstrual or pelvic pain. In: Goroll AH, et al. Primary Care Medicine: Office Evaluation and Management of the Adult Patient. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://gateway.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&MODE=ovid&PAGE=main&D=baov&PCOSTART=goroll. Accessed April 13, 2011.
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