Pelvic pain is felt below your bellybutton. It may come on suddenly and severely, or could be mild and last for months.

See your GP as soon as possible if you are experiencing pelvic pain. If necessary, you may be referred to a gynaecologist. In some cases, the cause cannot be identified.

The following information is about pelvic pain in women, as men are rarely affected. It covers the possible causes of:

• sudden, unexpected (acute) pelvic pain 
• persistent or recurrent (chronic) pelvic pain

The information on this page aims to give you a better idea of the cause of your pelvic pain, but do not use it to self-diagnose your condition. Always see your GP for a proper diagnosis.

Sudden, unexpected pelvic pain

Pelvic pain that comes on suddenly for the first time is called acute pelvic pain. If you have acute pelvic pain, see your GP immediately to find out the cause and to get any necessary treatment.

Common causes of acute pelvic pain

The most common causes of acute pelvic pain in women who are not pregnant are:

• an ovarian cyst – a fluid-filled sac that develops on an ovary and causes pelvic pain when it becomes twisted or bursts (it will probably need to be removed)
• acute pelvic inflammatory disease – a bacterial infection of the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, which often follows a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection and needs immediate treatment with antibiotics
• appendicitis – a painful swelling of the appendix, a finger-like pouch connected to the large intestine, which usually leads to pain on the lower right-hand side of your abdomen (tummy)
• a urinary tract infection – you’ll probably also have pain or a burning sensation when you urinate and you may need to urinate more often
• constipation or bowel spasm – this may be brought on by changes in diet, medication or, in rare cases, an obstruction of the bowel

The above links will give you more information on these conditions.

Less common reasons for acute pelvic pain

Less common causes of acute pelvic pain include:

• a pelvic abscess – a collection of pus between the womb and vagina that needs urgent treatment in hospital 
• endometriosis – a long-term condition where small pieces of womb lining are found outside the womb (such as on the ovaries), leading to painful periods

Persistent or recurrent pelvic pain

If you’ve had pelvic pain for six months or more that either comes and goes or is continuous, it is known as chronic pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain is more intense than ordinary period pain and lasts for longer. It affects around one in six women.

If you have chronic pelvic pain, see your GP to find out the cause and to get any necessary treatment.

Common causes of chronic pelvic pain

The most common causes of chronic pelvic pain are:

• endometriosis – a long-term condition where small pieces of womb lining are found outside the womb (such as on the ovaries)
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease – a bacterial infection of the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, which often follows a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection and needs immediate treatment with antibiotics
• irritable bowel syndrome – a common condition of the digestive system that can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation

The above links will give you more information on these conditions.

Less common reasons for chronic pelvic pain

Less common causes of chronic pelvic pain include:

• recurrent ovarian cysts – fluid or blood-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries   
• a recurrent urinary tract infection
• lower back pain
• prolapse of the womb – the womb slips down from its normal position and usually causes a “dragging” pain
• adenomyosis – endometriosis that affects the muscle of the womb, causing painful, heavy periods
• fibroids – non-cancerous tumours that grow in or around the womb
• chronic interstitial cystitis – long-term inflammation of the bladder
• inflammatory bowel disease – a term used to describe two chronic diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which affect the gut
• a hernia – where an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall
• trapped or damaged nerves in the pelvic area – these may cause sharp, stabbing or aching pain in a specific area, which often gets worse with certain movements

The Map of Medicine is used by doctors throughout the NHS to determine the best treatment options for their patients. NHS Choices offers everyone in England exclusive and free access to this cutting-edge internet resource, which lets you see exactly what your doctor sees.

The information in the Map has been approved by the UK’s leading clinical experts, is based on the best available clinical evidence, and is continually updated. To take advantage of this unique resource go to:

Map of Medicine: chronic pelvic pain (men and women)