Many types of diseases and other health conditions can cause pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain can be due to more than one condition.

Pelvic pain can start in the digestive, reproductive or urinary systems. Some pelvic pain also can come from certain muscles or ligaments — for example, by pulling a muscle in the hip or the pelvic floor.

Pelvic pain also might be caused by irritation of nerves in the pelvis.

Female reproductive system

Pelvic pain might be caused by problems linked with organs in the female reproductive system. These problems include:

  1. Adenomyosis
  2. Endometriosis
  3. Ovarian cancer
  4. Ovarian cysts
  5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  6. Uterine fibroids
  7. Vulvodynia

Pregnancy complications might lead to pelvic pain, including:

  1. Ectopic pregnancy
  2. Intrauterine fetal death, or the loss of a pregnancy after 20 weeks.
  3. Miscarriage
  4. Placental abruption
  5. Preterm labor

Pelvic pain also may be caused by symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle, such as:

  1. Menstrual cramps
  2. Mittelschmerz

Other causes in women or men

Other health conditions may cause pelvic pain. Many of these problems start in or affect the digestive system:

  1. Appendicitis
  2. Colon cancer
  3. Constipation
  4. Crohn's disease
  5. Diverticulitis
  6. Intestinal obstruction
  7. Irritable bowel syndrome
  8. Ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)

Some problems in the urinary system that may cause pelvic pain are:

  1. Interstitial cystitis
  2. Kidney infection
  3. Kidney stones (Hard objects that form inside the kidneys and are made of chemicals in urine.)
  4. Urinary tract infection (UTI) (An infection in any part of the urinary system.)

Pelvic pain also might be due to health issues such as:

  1. Fibromyalgia
  2. Inguinal hernia (Tissue that bulges through a weak spot in the muscles of the abdomen.)
  3. Past physical or sexual abuse.
  4. Pelvic floor muscle spasms.
  5. Prostatitis (A prostate condition that often is linked with inflammation.)

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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June 23, 2023