Is Pelvic Pain Normal?
Watch Dr. Laney Romero explain the common causes of pelvic pain, when discomfort may be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction, and how pelvic health physical therapy can help you find lasting relief.
Understanding Pelvic Pain: Common Causes and When to Seek Help
Pelvic pain can affect your daily activities, exercise, or intimacy and it isn't something you have to simply live with. Learn what may be causing your symptoms, when pelvic health physical therapy can help, and when it's time to seek care.
Pelvic pain is a broad term that describes pain or discomfort anywhere in or around the pelvis. You may feel it in your vagina, pubic bone, lower abdomen, low back, tailbone, buttocks, or hips. For some people, the pain is constant. For others, it only occurs during daily activities, exercise, or intimacy.
While pelvic pain is common during pregnancy and postpartum recovery, it can affect people of all ages and stages of life.
What Causes Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain can have many different causes, which is why a thorough evaluation is important. Some of the most common causes include:
Gynecological Conditions
Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and pelvic congestion syndrome can all contribute to pelvic pain.
Urological Conditions
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), and difficulty completely emptying the bladder may also cause pain or discomfort in the pelvic region.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulitis, and chronic constipation can contribute to pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Pelvic pain may also be related to the muscles, joints, nerves, and connective tissues surrounding the pelvis. Tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles, muscle weakness, movement compensations, and nerve irritation are all common musculoskeletal contributors to pain.
How Can Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Help?
Pelvic health physical therapy focuses on treating the musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. If you're experiencing pain with daily movement, exercise, or intimacy that doesn't seem to be explained by another medical condition, pelvic health physical therapy may be an excellent first step.
During your evaluation, we'll determine whether your symptoms appear to be related to the muscles, joints, nerves, or connective tissues of the pelvic region. If they aren't musculoskeletal in nature, we'll help guide you toward the healthcare provider best suited to address your concerns.
For people with gynecological, urological, or gastrointestinal conditions, pelvic health physical therapy can also help manage the musculoskeletal symptoms that often accompany these diagnoses. Even when the primary condition involves an internal organ, there is frequently a pelvic floor muscle tension, weakness, or coordination component contributing to pain. Treating those impairments can help reduce pain, improve function, and better manage symptoms over the long term.
When Should You Seek Help for Pelvic Pain?
If you're experiencing pain anywhere in the pelvic region and wondering whether it could be related to your pelvic floor, don't wait to ask questions.
Whether your symptoms are new, have been present for years, or are affecting your ability to exercise, work, or enjoy intimacy, a pelvic health physical therapy evaluation can help identify whether a musculoskeletal issue is contributing to your pain and determine the best next steps for your care.
– Dr. Laney Romero
Common Types of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic Floor Pain
Tailbone Pain
Hip & Buttock Pain
Pubic Bone Pain
Lower Abdominal Pain
When Should You Seek Help for Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain isn't something you should simply have to live with. Consider scheduling a pelvic health physical therapy evaluation if you're experiencing:
- Pelvic pain that limits your daily activities, exercise, or work
- Pain during intimacy or discomfort with sitting, walking, or changing positions
- Pain in your low back, tailbone, hips, buttocks, or pubic bone
- Ongoing pain during or after pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or following pelvic surgery
Many people experience significant relief with pelvic health physical therapy, even if they've been living with pelvic pain for months or years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pelvic pain is common, but it isn't something you should have to live with. While it's often experienced during pregnancy or postpartum recovery, pelvic pain can affect people of all ages. If your pain is interfering with daily activities, exercise, work, or intimacy, a pelvic health physical therapy evaluation can help identify whether your muscles, joints, or nerves are contributing to your symptoms.
Pelvic pain can have many different causes, including pelvic floor dysfunction, muscle tension, pregnancy, postpartum changes, endometriosis, bladder conditions, digestive disorders, or nerve irritation. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms are musculoskeletal in nature and whether pelvic health physical therapy is an appropriate treatment option.
Yes. Pelvic health physical therapy focuses on treating the musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. Treatment may include improving pelvic floor muscle coordination, reducing muscle tension, restoring strength and mobility, and addressing movement patterns that contribute to pain. Every treatment plan is personalized to your symptoms and goals.
Consider scheduling an evaluation if your pelvic pain is affecting your daily activities, exercise, sitting, walking, or intimacy, or if your symptoms have persisted despite rest or other treatments. You don't have to wait until the pain becomes severe. Many people experience significant improvement with pelvic health physical therapy, even if they've been living with symptoms for months or years.
Prosper Physical Therapy Specialists
100 Regency Forest Dr, Ste 130Cary, NC
27518-8597 View Staff & Treatments