Is Your Pelvic Pain Trying to Tell You Something? When to Seek Help

Many women are familiar with pelvic discomfort because they experience period cramps — a common cause of pelvic pain in women. However, pelvic pain that isn’t related to your period might indicate a condition affecting your sexual and reproductive health. It can also be linked to your digestive or urinary system. 

The team at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness offers premier gynecological care to women throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They can help you discover what your pelvic pain is trying to tell you about your health. 

Recognizing pelvic pain

Pelvic pain occurs in the region under your belly button and between your hips. It can vary in intensity and might come and go. Your pelvic pain might be dull, sharp, throbbing, continuous, or occasional.

Symptoms that appear with pelvic pain can offer insight into what might be causing your discomfort. Let our team know if you also experience:

• Abnormal bleeding between periods
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Bloating or gas
• Pain during sex
• Hip pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

When you visit Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness with pelvic pain, our team starts with a comprehensive physical and pelvic exam before recommending more detailed tests. Blood tests, urinalysis, and minimally invasive laparoscopy can give us more information about your health status. 

When to call your doctor

Book an appointment at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness any time you experience new, worsening, or disruptive pelvic pain. 

Occasionally, pelvic pain is a sign of an emergency. Go to the emergency room if your pelvic pain:

• Is sudden and intense
• Prevents you from standing up straight
• Occurs when you’re pregnant or within six months of a pregnancy
• Comes with a fever
• Comes with blood in your urine or feces

If your pelvic pain isn’t an emergency, book an appointment. In the meantime, you might be able to alleviate your pain by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, applying heat to your pelvis, or practicing relaxation exercises. 

Common causes of pelvic pain in women

As experienced OB/GYNs, the team at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness routinely diagnoses and treats the common causes of pelvic pain in women. Your pelvic pain might be a sign of:

An ovarian cyst

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled growths on your ovaries. They’re not cancerous. However, they can be painful, especially if they’re large or rupture. 

Pelvic inflammation

Pelvic inflammation can be due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection affecting your reproductive organs. Sometimes, PID stems from an STD like gonorrhea or chlamydia. 

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in or on the uterus. 

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that involves endometrial (inner uterus) tissue growing on organs or tissues outside the uterus. Pelvic pain from endometriosis tends to flare up just before or during your period. 

Pelvic pain can also come from issues outside of the reproductive system, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a urinary tract infection. 

Find answers today

Do you experience pelvic pain that isn’t just a menstrual cramp? Call Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness or request an appointment online.