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Overview of pelvic pain in women
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Pelvic pain is a common problem for women. It refers to pain in the area below your tummy button and above your legs.
When pelvic pain comes on suddenly, it is called sudden or acute pelvic pain. If the pain comes and goes and lasts longer than 6 months, it is called long-lasting or chronic pelvic pain.
There are many causes of pelvic pain. The pain usually comes from one of the organs in your pelvis such as your bowel, bladder, uterus (womb) and ovaries. Sometimes the pain can come from your pelvic bones or from nearby muscles, nerves, blood vessels or joints.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Jean Hailes – Pelvic pain: know the different causes and when to seek help
More information about pelvic pain. Includes practical advice for those with persistent pelvic pain.
- Patient.info – Pelvic pain in women
Factsheet about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain in women.
On the next page: Sudden pelvic pain in women
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2025.
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Review key: HIPPA-13407
