Last Updated: January 04, 2024

Published By: MediFind Medical Staff

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What causes pelvic pain?

Pelvic pain can affect both men and women for a large range of reasons. The MediFind Medical Team has summarized 10 potential causes for pelvic pain below in order from most to least likely based on our data. Learn more about how MediFind works here. You can also enter your symptoms into MediFind’s Symptom Checker to receive more customized results.

Pelvic Injury

Although injuries to the pelvis are not common, pelvic pain is most often associated with some kind of injury to the pelvis, through physical activity or bad positioning during sleep. Severe injuries that make it difficult to move require treatment by a primary care doctor. Otherwise, proper rest from physical activity should clear it up over time. Find a primary care doctor near you here.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs involve infections of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra, which all connect through tubing of the urinary system. UTIs are very common, particularly in women, and can, although rarely, lead to more severe infections of the organ systems that connect through the urinary tract. Pelvic pain, alongside cloudy or bloody urine with a strong odor may reflect a bladder-based UTI whereas chills and high fevers are instead associated with a kidney-based UTI. Although UTIs generally clear on their own, they come with a lot of discomfort that itself is treatable by a primary care doctor or an urologist. Find an urologist near you here.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic pain in women may involve an infection of the female reproductive system by sexually transmitted bacteria, which develops as pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. This infection can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries and may lead to difficulty getting pregnant alongside chronic pelvic pain. It is important that a doctor start treatment for the infection before it develops further. See an emergency doctor if you have severe pelvic pain, nausea and vomiting, high fever, or foul vaginal discharge. Otherwise, with non-severe symptoms, see a gynecologist for general treatment. Find a gynecologist near you here.

Ectopic Pregnancy

In women who are or may become pregnant, pelvic pain may be a symptom of a common but serious condition called ectopic pregnancy, which occurs from a blockage of a fertilized egg through the fallopian tube as it travels to the womb. It is more common in women over the age of 35. Ectopic pregnancy is treated by an OBGYN. Find an OBGYN near you here.

Endometriosis

For the same reasons as ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain may also be a symptom of endometriosis. The condition involves endometrial growths where tissue that is normally in the uterus begins growing in other areas of the female reproductive system. Pelvic pain as a symptom occurs alongside heavy bleeding and infertility. Endometriosis is treated by an OBGYN. Find an OBGYN near you here.

Epididymitis

Pelvic pain in men is most likely associated with epididymitis, or swelling and inflammation of the connection between the testicles and the vas deferens, which itself is called the epididymis. As with most inflammation, it is generally caused by an infection of the urethra, prostate, or bladder by the sexually transmitted illnesses gonorrhea or chlamydia. In cases of sudden and severe testicle pain, see an emergency doctor. Otherwise, epididymitis is treated by a primary care doctor. Find a primary care doctor near you here.

Kidney Stones

The kidneys collect minerals and other compounds in the urine as it travels to the bladder. If that mineralization is severe, kidney stones may form that vary widely in size. Pelvic pain in relation to kidney stones involves large accumulations that must be cleared from the body. Kidney stones can occur in both men and women but is more common in Caucasian males. Kidney stones generally pass on their own but are also treated by a primary care doctor. Find a primary care doctor near you here.

Ovarian Cancer

More common in older women, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women and results from uncontrolled growths in the ovaries that may spread to other organ systems. Pelvic pain alongside bloating or swelling in the belly area, particularly with swollen lymph nodes in the groin for more than a few weeks, can indicate ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is treated by an oncologist. Find an oncologist near you here.

Urachal Cyst

The urachus, which connects the umbilical cord to the bladder, generally disappears prior to birth but may remain in adults. A cyst of that tissue can develop at any point, particularly when paired with a urinary tract or bladder infection. Pelvic pain, when combined with fever and painful urination can occur from an Urachal cyst. It is still quite rare as most adults lack the urachus. Urachal cyst is treated by an urologist. Find a urologist near you here.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, which itself occurs through a chronic hepatitis infection and alcohol abuse. It can present as pelvic pain alongside nausea, fatigue, poor appetite, and spider-like blood vessels on the skin. In worsened conditions, you may notice yellowing of the skin, fluid buildup in the legs and abdomen, and pale or clay-colored stools. Since cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, it refers to a stage of irreversible liver damage. Cirrhosis symptoms are treated by a gastroenterologist. Find a gastroenterologist near you here.

Understanding the Results

These results are based on the most likely conditions for a 20 to 40 year-old patient that is living in the United States. Our data shows that 96% of the time, this symptom is related to one of the 10 most likely causes. Location and age can also contribute to different results. Use our Symptom Checker to add your information and get your custom results.

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Differences in Age Groups

Pelvic pain is more common in adults that have a matured reproductive system. High sexual activity may include greater instances of reproductive and urinary-based infections that bring about this condition.

Differences among Men and Women

Pelvic pain is slightly more common in women that can become pregnant. When associated with men, it can indicate a sexually transmitted disease.