Pelvic pain is an umbrella term for any pain that happens in the area below your belly button.

The cause of pelvic pain may lie with your:

• Reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, or ovaries)
• Urinary system (bladder or urethra)
• Digestive system (intestines, colon, or rectum)
• Musculoskeletal (pelvic floor muscles)

Or, it can be a combination of different issues.

For some people, pelvic pain comes and goes with menstrual periods. You may feel the pain at certain times, like when you need to use the bathroom or when you lift something heavy. Or, you might feel a sharp, stabbing pain at random moments in a certain area of your pelvis.

If your symptoms last 6 months or longer, doctors consider it chronic pelvic pain. But even if your pelvic pain happens only occasionally, you should see a doctor to rule out a serious problem.

Figuring out the cause of pelvic pain can be challenging. There may be several different factors contributing to your discomfort.

Causes of pelvic pain include:

• Your period: Most people have cramps during the first few days of their period. For some people, the pain is severe and lasts longer.
• Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Doctors may suspect endometriosis if pain occurs throughout the month or during sex.
• Fibroids: These uterine growths cause heavy or more frequent menstrual periods. They can cause pain in the lower back or abdomen.
• Urinary tract issues: Kidney stones, frequent urinary tract infections, and bladder cancer can all cause pelvic pain. Interstitial cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder, can cause pelvic pain and make you need to urinate more often.
• Bowel issues: Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and cancer can all cause pelvic pain.
• Back problems: Lower back pain and injuries can trigger pelvic pain. Being overweight can strain the entire lower part of the body. Poor posture is another contributing factor.
• Pregnancy: Being pregnant can put pressure on many parts of the body, especially the ligaments in the pelvis and spine.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: An infection of the reproductive organs. Sometimes there are few or no symptoms, but this can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pelvic pain.
• Sexual or physical abuse: About half the women who have chronic pelvic pain have a history of abuse. The cause can be due to a combination of muscular guarding, increased sensitization of the nerves, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Pelvic floor muscles: When the pelvic floor muscles stay tight or tense for a long time, often as a protective response to stress, injury, or past trauma, they can become sore and overworked, leading to ongoing pelvic pain.

Doctors diagnose the cause of pelvic pain by asking you about your health history, your symptoms, and how long they’ve been going on. They'll ask you when you feel the pain—at a certain time of day, during your period, after urination, or during sex? 

They'll ask you to describe what the pain feels like—such as sharp, dull, or cramping—and what kinds of activities or movements make it worse.

Treatment for pelvic pain depends on what’s causing the problem.

Medicine

Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat pelvic pain caused by an infection. In some instances, they may use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling. Muscle relaxants can ease tight pelvic muscles. Nerve pain medications can calm overactive nerves, and antidepressants can also help control chronic pain signals

In many cases, hormonal birth control can help manage pain linked to your period or endometriosis.

Lifestyle changes

Eating a healthier diet, exercising, and losing weight may help reduce pelvic pain. Improving your posture is another non-medical approach that can make a difference.

Pelvic floor physical therapy strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor or helps you relax the pelvic floor, which can help relieve pain. Your doctor or midwife may also suggest alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, and relaxation exercises.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or sex therapy may be part of your overall care plan. Counseling may help treat pain, whether mixed with medical treatment or on its own.

Surgery

Gynecologic surgery to remove fibroids, adhesions, or endometriosis may reduce or eliminate pelvic pain.