Women's Wellness Guidance: When to Worry About Pelvic Pain

Your pelvic area is in your lower abdomen. It's below your belly button and between your hips, and includes many organs. Many women experience pelvic pain. In fact, about one in seven women has experienced pelvic pain lasting 6 or more months.

Pelvic pain can be constant or intermittent, intense or dull, and can be caused by your reproductive system, digestive system, or urinary system. In other words, it can be hard to diagnose and challenging to treat.

At Female Health Associates of North Texas, board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Jeffrey Hantes is highly skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating pelvic issues. Here, he shares what you need to know about when to worry about pelvic pain and when you should seek medical help.

Pelvic pain causes and symptoms

Many women experience pelvic pain for many reasons. Because there are many organs located in your pelvic region, any one of them can contribute to health issues that cause pain. Some of the most common health issues include:

Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
STDs
Pelvic floor disorder
Vulvodynia
Ovarian cysts

Pelvic pain often comes with other symptoms, like pain in your stomach. These can range from lower back pain to vaginal bleeding. The most common symptoms include:

Constipation or diarrhea
Pain when you pee
Pain during sex
Bloating and gas
Menstrual cramps

To properly diagnose the reason for your pelvic pain, Dr. Hantes will ask you questions about your health concerns and when, where, and how long you’ve been experiencing pain and other symptoms.

Depending on your answers, Dr. Hantes will develop an effective treatment plan, so your pelvic pain doesn’t interfere with your life.

When to seek medical help for pelvic pain

Not all pelvic pain requires medical attention. Mild menstrual cramps, intermittent gas and bloating, and constipation are common pelvic discomforts. However, you shouldn’t ignore or have to live with pain that interferes with your daily activities.

Some signs that you should seek medical attention for your pelvic pain include:

If your period flow is so heavy that you need to change sanitary pads every hour
If your pain is severe and sudden and doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers
If there’s blood in your pee or poop
If you’re vomiting and have a high fever

If you have pelvic pain and want relief, make an appointment with Dr. Hantes. To learn about treatment options, call our office or request an appointment online today.