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Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis lasting more than six months. It can have several causes, and often needs a combined approach to find relief.
Causes & risk factors
- Gynaecological causes such as endometriosis (in women)
- Bladder conditions
- Bowel conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome
- Pelvic muscle tension or nerve pain
- Previous surgery or infection
- Sometimes no single cause is found
Common symptoms
- Ongoing pelvic pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain passing urine
- Pain during periods or intimacy
- Bloating
- Pain worse at certain times
Tests & diagnosis
- Clinical assessment
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Urine tests
- Blood count
- Laparoscopy in some cases
Treatment & management
- Treating any identified cause, such as endometriosis or bladder problems
- Pain-relief and nerve-pain medicines
- Physiotherapy for pelvic floor muscles
- Psychological support and pain-management programmes
- A team approach for complex or persistent pain
When to see a doctor urgently
- Sudden severe pelvic pain, fever, or feeling very unwell — seek urgent care
- Heavy vaginal bleeding, or pain with a positive pregnancy test — seek urgent care
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Pelvic pain that is persistent or affecting daily life
Frequently asked questions
Why is it hard to find the cause of pelvic pain?
The pelvis contains many organs and nerves, so pain can come from gynaecological, bladder, bowel or muscle sources, sometimes overlapping. This is why a thorough, sometimes team-based assessment is often needed.
Can chronic pelvic pain be treated?
Yes. Treating any identified cause, along with pain-relief medicines, pelvic physiotherapy and psychological support, helps many people. A combined approach often works better than any single treatment.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.