Pelvic pain

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Several types of diseases and conditions can cause pelvic pain. Often chronic pelvic pain results from more than one condition.

Pelvic pain may arise from your digestive, reproductive or urinary system. Recently, doctors have recognized that some pelvic pain, particularly chronic pelvic pain, may also arise from muscles and connective tissue (ligaments) in the structures of the pelvic floor. Occasionally, pelvic pain may be caused by irritation of nerves in the pelvis.

Female reproductive system
Pelvic pain arising from the female reproductive system may be caused by conditions such as:

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Other causes in women or men
Examples of other possible causes of pelvic pain — in women or men — include:

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

When to see a doctor Definition
References
  1. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ099. Chronic pelvic pain. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq099.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130424T0842088403. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  2. Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-4/0/1481/0.html#. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  3. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about. do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  4. Roett MA, et al. Ovarian cancer: An overview. American Family Physician. 2009;80:609.
  5. 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 7, 2013.
  6. Townsend CM Jr, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1565/0.html. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  7. Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/index.htm. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  8. Howard F. Evaluation of acute pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  9. Brown K, et al. Evaluation of acute pelvic pain in the adolescent female. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  10. Howard F. Causes of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  11. Andrews J, et al. Noncyclic Chronic Pelvic Pain Therapies for Women: Comparative Effectiveness Reviews No. 41. Rockville, Md. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK84586. Accessed April 7, 2013.
  12. Yunker A, et al. Systematic review of therapies for noncyclic chronic pelvic pain in women. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 2012;67:417.
  13. Stacy J, et al. Persistent pelvic pain: Rising to the challenge. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2012;52:502.
  14. DeLee JC, et al. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..X0001-2--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 10, 2013.
  15. Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=$eid&isbn=978-1-4557-0295-4&uniqId=398813857-1936. Accessed April 10, 2013.
MY00124 May 18, 2013

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