A variety of conditions can cause pain in the pelvis, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney stones. Other causes include digestive problems, hernias, and digestive issues. Appendicitis is an emergency medical condition that can cause pain on the right side.

The area between your belly button and your thighs is your pelvis. This part of the body can cause pain for anyone.

The pain in your pelvis can be a sign of:

• Urinary tract
• Reproductive organs
• digestive tract
• You may have soft tissue or nerves in your pelvis.

Menstrual cramps are a common cause of pelvic discomfort. They’re nothing to be concerned about. Some causes of pelvic discomfort are more serious and may require a trip to the doctor or hospital.

This guide will help you determine what is causing your pelvic discomfort. See a doctor to get a diagnosis.

Causes of pelvic pain in both men and women

Pelvic pain can result from many different conditions. Some conditions affect both men and women, while others are gender-specific. Take a look at some of the general conditions that can cause pelvic pain.

1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A UTI is an infection of your urinary system. This includes the urethra and bladder. UTIs can be very common in women with female reproductive systems. In their lifetime, about 50% of women (trusted source) will have a UTI. This is usually in the bladder.

A UTI will usually cause pelvic pain. Pain is typically felt in the middle and around the pubic area of the pelvis.

Other symptoms include:

• Urinate immediately if you feel the need.
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Urine that is cloudy or bloody and has a strong smell
• If you have a kidney infection, it can cause side and back pain.

2. Sexually transmitted infections

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that are transmitted by sexual activity.

In the United States, more than 616 000 cases of gonorrhea have been diagnosed. In the United States, over 1.8 million people, according to TrustedSource, were diagnosed with chlamydia. The majority of cases are among people aged 15–24.

In most cases, gonorrhea or chlamydia will not cause symptoms. Women can experience pain in the pelvis when urinating or having a bowel motion. Men can experience pain in their testicles.

Other symptoms of gonorrhea include:

• unusual vaginal discharge (female reproductive system)
• bleeding between periods (female reproductive system)
• The rectum can be a source of pain or discharge (for both sexes).

Chlamydia can also cause:

• Discharge from the penis or vagina
• The urine of pus
• Urinating more than usual
• Pain or burning after urinating
• Pain during sex
• Tenderness and swelling in the testicles
• Discharge, pain, or bleeding in the rectum

3. Hernia

A hernia is caused when an organ, tissue, or muscle pushes through the weakest part of your abdominal, chest, or thigh muscles. It can cause a painful bulge. The bulge should either disappear or be pushed back into place when you lie flat.

Hernias are more painful when you cough, laugh, or bend over.

Other symptoms include

• A heavy feeling around the bulge
• Hernias are often weakened by pressure or weakness.
• Pain and swelling around the testicles

4. Appendicitis

The appendix is a thin tube attached to the large intestine. In appendicitis, the appendix is inflamed.

This condition can affect between 5 and 9 percent of people. Appendicitis occurs more often in teenagers and young adults but can affect anyone.

The pain can be sudden and severe. The pain is usually located in the lower-right part of your abdominal area. The pain may start at your belly button and then migrate to the lower right part of your abdomen. When you cough or sneeze, the pain can get worse.

Appendicitis may also present with:

• nausea
• vomiting
• appetite loss
• Low-grade fever
• diarrhea or constipation?
• The swelling of the abdomen

5. Kidney stones and infection

Kidney stones are formed when minerals such as calcium or uric acids clump in urine to form hard stones. Kidney stones tend to be more common among people who have a male reproductive organ.

The majority of kidney stones do not cause symptoms until they reach a certain size. This is when they become too large to pass through the ureters. (the small tubes that transport urine from the kidneys into the bladder) The tubes are too small to stretch and move the stone, causing pain. The ureter can cause pain by squeezing the stone. This can lead to a painful spasm.

The pressure and pain can be severe if the stone is blocking the urine flow. This pain can be very severe.

Pain can also radiate from your lower abdomen and groin. Pain can also occur when you urinate. The pain from kidney stones comes in waves, which get worse and then lessen.

If bacteria enter your kidneys, a kidney disease can develop. It can also cause back, side, and lower abdominal pain. Some people who have kidney stones may also be suffering from a kidney infection. Other symptoms of kidney stones or infections include:

• Blood in your urine may be pink, red, or brown.
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Need to urinate more frequently than usual
• Urination is urgent.
• Burning or pain in the urinal area
• nausea
• vomiting
• chills

6. Cystitis

Cystitis occurs when the bladder is inflamed. It’s typically caused by an infection. It can cause pain or pressure around your lower abdomen and pelvis.

Other symptoms include

• A strong urge to urinate
• Burning or pain in the urinal area
• Urinating in small amounts at once
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Low-grade fever

7. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a disorder that can cause symptoms such as cramps. This is not the same thing as chronic inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD), which causes inflammation in the digestive system.

Around 12 percent of U.S. adults have IBS. IBS affects two times as many women than men. It usually begins before the age of 50.

IBS can cause abdominal pain and cramps. These symptoms usually subside when you eat.

Other IBS symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Gas
• diarrhea
• Constipation
• Mucus in the stool

8. Pudendal nerve entrapment

The pudendal neural system provides feeling in your genitals. This nerve can be affected by an injury, surgery, or growth in the area where it enters or exits the pelvis.

Pudendal nerve entrapment causes nerve pain. The pain is like a deep, aching electric shock in the genitals (perineum), the area between the genitals and rectum, and around the circumference of the rectum.

Pain tends to worsen when you are seated and gets better when you get up or lie on your back.

Other symptoms include:

• Trouble starting the flow
• Urination is frequent or urgent.
• Constipation
• painful bowel movements
• Numbness in the penis, scrotum, and/or vulva
• trouble getting an erection

9. Adhesives

Adhesions can be defined as bands of tissue similar to scar tissue that cause organs and tissues within your abdomen to stick together. Adhesions can develop after abdominal surgery. Adhesions can develop in 90 percent of abdominal surgery patients.

Adhesions don’t always cause symptoms. Most commonly, they cause abdominal pain. Many people report sharp pulling and pain. If your intestines get stuck together, they can cause severe abdominal pain.

• nausea
• vomiting
• swollen belly
• Constipation
• Loud sounds in the bowels

Sollte you experience any of these symptoms, it is imperative that you consult your physician immediately.

Conditions that affect women

There are some conditions that can cause pelvic pain in women.

10. Ovary pain (mittelschmerz)

Some people experience pain in the ovary during regular monthly ovulation. This pain, also known as Mittelschmerz (“middle pain” in German), is experienced in the lower abdomen and pelvic region.

This occurs during ovulation, when an egg is released through the fallopian tubes. The term “middle” is used to describe the time when an egg is released from your fallopian tube.

The pain that you experience during ovulation is typically:

• The side of the abdomen where the eggs are released
• Feels sharp, cramped, and dull.
• It lasts from a few seconds to a couple of hours.

If you experience pain, it is possible that you will also experience vaginal discharge or bleeding.

The pain from ovulation usually doesn’t cause any serious problems, but you should tell your doctor if it persists or if there is a fever and nausea.

11. Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is an inflammation of the muscles of the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is not completely understood. It can be treated with a combination of medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes. There is currently no cure.

Interstitial cystitis symptoms include:

• Chronic or intermittent pelvic pain
• Pelvic pressure or discomfort
• Urinary urgency (feeling of needing to urinate)
• Frequent urination at night
• Pain during sexual intercourse

12. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Menstrual Cramps

Most people experience cramps around their lower abdomen before or during menstruation. The pain is caused by hormone changes and the contraction of the uterus as it pushes the uterine lining out.

Sometimes cramps can be very painful. Dysmenorrhea is the name for painful periods. About 10% of people with periods experience pain that is severe enough to interfere with their daily lives.

You may also experience other symptoms, including:

• Breast sores
• Bloating
• moods changes
• Food cravings
• irritability
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• headaches

13. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is when an egg that has been fertilized grows outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tubes can burst as the egg grows. This can be fatal. Ectopic pregnancy affects 1 to 2 percent of women in the United States.

The pain can be sharp and stabbing. The pain may be only on one side. Pain can come in waves.

Other symptoms include

• Vaginal bleeding
• Back or shoulder pain
• weakness
• dizziness

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your OB/GYN. Emergencies occur when there is an ectopic pregnancy.

14. Miscarriage

Miscarriage is the loss of the baby before the twenty-first week of pregnancy. Around 10–15 percent end in miscarriage. Many women miscarry even before they know they are pregnant.

A miscarriage can be indicated by severe cramps and pain in the abdomen. Miscarriage can also be characterized by:

• heavy spotting
• vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal discharge or tissue
• Back pain can range in intensity from mild to severe.

Consider seeing your doctor if you have abdominal pain or moderate-to-severe cramps while pregnant.

15. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is an infection affecting the female reproductive system. The infection begins when bacteria enter the vagina, travel to the fallopian tubes or ovaries, and then spread.

PID is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. In the United States, about 4.4 percent of women get PID.

PID pain is felt in the lower abdomen. It may feel achy or tender. Other symptoms include

• vaginal discharge
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pain during sex
• Painful Urination
• Urination is frequent.

If you experience these symptoms, consult a physician. Untreated PID can cause infertility.

16. Ovarian cyst rupture and torsion

Cysts can develop in your ovaries. Cysts are common in women, but usually they don’t cause problems or symptoms.

If a cyst twists or ruptures (splits), then it may cause pain on the side of your lower abdomen that is opposite the cyst. The pain may be dull or sharp, and it can come and go.

Cysts can also cause:

• Feeling full in the abdomen
• Lower back pain
• Pain during sex
• Unexpected weight gain
• pain during your period
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Urinating more than usual is a sign of increased need.
• Bloating
• vomiting

If you have severe pain or fever along with your pelvic pain, see a doctor immediately.

17. Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are growths on the uterine wall. These growths are common in women during their reproductive years and are usually not cancerous.

Fibroids range in size, from tiny seeds up to large lumps that make your stomach grow. Fibroids are often asymptomatic. The larger fibroids can cause pain or pressure in the pelvis.

Other symptoms of uterine fibroids include:

• heavy bleeding during your periods
• Periods that last more than a Week
• Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
• backache
• Urination is frequent.
• Pain during sex
• Trouble emptying your bladder completely
• Constipation

18. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow in other areas of your pelvis. This tissue thickens each month and sheds like it would in the uterus. The tissue that is outside your uterus, however, has no place to go.These actions may cause pain and other unpleasant symptoms to appear.

In the United States, endometriosis is a condition that affects over 11 percent of women aged between 15 and 44.Most prevalent among individuals aged 30-40.

Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain both before and during your period. The pain can be severe. The pain may be worse when you urinate or when you have sex.

Other symptoms include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
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• diarrhea
• Constipation
• nausea

19. Pelvic congestion syndrome

Varicose veins can develop around the ovaries in pelvic congestion syndrome. These thick, ropy varicose vessels are similar to those that form on the legs. The valves, which normally prevent blood from flowing the wrong way through veins, are no longer working. Blood can back up and cause swelling in the veins.

Women are more likely to develop varicose pelvic veins than men, although this condition can affect both genders.

The main symptom is pelvic pain. The pain may feel dull or achy. The pain will usually get worse throughout the day, particularly if you have been standing or sitting a lot. Pain can be caused by sex or around your period.

Other symptoms include:

• diarrhea
• Constipation
• You may have varicose veins on your legs.
• Trouble controlling urination

20. Pelvic organ prolapse

These female pelvic organs are held in place by a hammock of tissues and muscles that surround them. These muscles can weaken due to age and childbirth, allowing the bladder, the uterus, and the rectum to drop into the vagina.

Women of all ages can experience pelvic organ prolapse, but older women are more likely to suffer from it.

Feelings of pressure within your pelvis or the presence of an irregularity could occur; additionally, an odd lump could appear within the vagina.

Men’s health conditions

Symptoms of pelvic pain can be caused by conditions affecting the male reproductive system.

21. Bacterial prostatitis

Prostatitis refers to inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland.A bacterial infection causes prostatitis of the prostate gland. Up to 16 percent of men, according to TrustedSource, will get prostatitis in their lifetime, but less than 10 percent of those men will have bacterial prostatitis.

Along with pelvic discomfort, other symptoms include:

• Urination is a need that occurs frequently or urgently.
• Painful Urination
• Inability to pass urine
• Chills
• nausea
• vomiting
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22. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome

You will be diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome if you experience long-term pain in your pelvis without any obvious infection. You must have experienced pelvic pain at least for three months to qualify for this diagnosis.

Between 2 and 16 percent (source: trusted source) of men will experience chronic pelvic pain at some point in their lives. This is the most common condition of the urinary system in men younger than 50.

This condition causes pain in the penis and testicles. It can also cause pain between the testicles (perineum) and the rectum.

Other symptoms include

• Pain during urination or ejaculation
• a weak urine stream
• An increased urge to urinate
• Muscle or joint pain
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23. Urethral stricture

The urethra tube is where urine leaves the body from the bladder. Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra due to swelling, injury, or infection. The blockage causes the urine to flow slowly out of the penis.

As men age, urethral stricture affects less than 1 percent of men. Women can also get strictures, but they are rare.

The abdomen may be painful, and:

• A slow urine flow
• Pain while urinating
• Blood in urine or semen
• Leakage of urine
• Penis swelling
• Loss of bladder control

24. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

BPH is a benign hyperplasia of the prostate. This gland is usually about the size of a walnut. It adds fluid to the semen. As you age, the prostate grows.

The prostate will grow and squeeze your urethra. To push urine out, the bladder muscle must work harder. You can experience urinary symptoms if the bladder muscle weakens over time.

BPH is common among older men. Around half of men aged 51–60 have BPH. By the age of 80, 90 percent of males will have BPH.

Other symptoms include:

• Urination is urgent.
• Weak or dribbling urine flow
• Trouble starting to urinate
• Pushing or straining to urinate

25. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome

Vasectomy can be used to control male fertility. The vas deferens is cut to prevent sperm from entering the semen or impregnating an egg.

About 1-2 percent of people after a vasectomy experience pain in the testicles. This can last for up to 3 months. Post-vasectomy syndrome is the name for this condition. This can be due to damage to the testicle or pressure on the nerves.

Pain can be constant or intermittent. Some people experience pain when they ejaculate, have an erection, or have sex. Some people experience sharp, stabbing pain. Some people experience a more throbbing type of pain.

Talking to a doctor

It is unlikely that you should be concerned about mild and temporary pelvic pain. Make an appointment with your doctor if the pain persists for several days or is severe.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have pelvic pain or:

• Blood in your urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Trouble Urinating
• Inability to pass a bowel motion
• bleeding between period
• nausea or vomiting
• Chills

The Bottom Line HTML

There are many possible causes of pelvic pain. Some causes can be harmless, while others are more serious.

As with other types of pain, it’s important to be aware of any accompanying symptoms. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience pain, fever, chills, or unusual bleeding. If your urine looks or smells differently or you are having trouble urinating, you may also have other symptoms.

If your pelvic pain persists, gets worse, or does not go away within a few days, you should consult a doctor to ensure that it is not causing concern.

Credit: The Web Health & Drugs Discussion