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Pelvic Pain

What are the common causes of pelvic pain?

Women of all ages can be affected by pelvic pain, but the majority of sufferers are between the ages of 25 and 45 years old.

Women of reproductive age in the US represent 14.7 percent (9.2 million) of all females suffering from chronic pelvic pain.

Some of the common causes of pelvic pain include:

• Chronic constipation
• Chronic infections
• Exercise-induced injuries
• Childbirth
• Chronic muscle tension

The diagnosis of pelvic pain can fall into one of several categories, including the following:

• Vulvodynia: Pain in the area around the opening of the vagina (vulva)
• Vulvar Vestibulitis/Vestibulodynia: Pain localized to the vestibule elicited by touch, pressure, or friction
• Dyspareunia: Painful intercourse
• Pudendal Neuralgia: Inflammation of the pudendal nerve (a major nerve located in the pelvic region of both sexes that connects to the external genitalia
• Coccygodynia: Pain in or around the tailbone (coccyx)
• Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome: Discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region
• Endometriosis-related pain: Painful cramps or periods, heavy periods, chronic pelvic pain (which includes lower back pain and pelvic pain), intestinal pain, and/or pain during and/or after sex
• Perineal Pain: Pelvic pain that is aggravated by sitting, relieved by standing, and absent when recumbent or sitting on a toilet seat; can be caused by nerve damage

Special thanks to:

Elizabeth Rummer, MSPT, of the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, Calif., for her contributions.
Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center

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