What causes pelvic pain?

Persistent pelvic pain is highly complex. Sometimes there may be more than one contributing cause for a woman’s pelvic pain.

Among other causes, pelvic pain in women can be caused by:

Endometriosis, a gynaecological disorder involving abnormal growth of endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) in areas outside the uterus.

Uterine fibroids, a non-cancerous growth in the muscle wall of the uterus.

Adenomyosis, abnormal growth of endometrial tissue into the muscle wall of the uterus.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), inflammation of the pelvic area often caused by sexually transmitted infections or other bacteria.

Pelvic muscle pain, spasms of the pelvic muscles in response to other causes of pelvic pain, progressing to a more constant pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder characterised by pelvic pain and discomfort, bloating, and problems with bowel movements.

Painful bladder syndrome and urinary tract infections, involving pain during urination or sexual intercourse, and frequently needing to urinate.