What is pelvic pain in women?

Pelvic pain can be acute and sudden, chronic, or recurrent, and can be due to a wide variety of underlying causes. The pelvis is the area around your lower abdomen and above your thighs, containing your reproductive organs, bladder, and bowel. Less commonly, men can also experience pelvic pain, though for different reasons from women.

Persistent pelvic pain as a condition refers to pain in your pelvic area present for most days of the week and lasting for at least six months. This pain is severe enough to affect your daily life. Diagnosing and getting proper help for persistent pelvic pain can be difficult, as many women may dismiss their discomfort as normal. Some medical professionals may also lack understanding and awareness of pelvic pain, which further delays receiving effective treatment for these women.