"Pelvic pain" is a general term used to describe pain that occurs mostly or only in the region below a woman's belly button. This region includes the lower stomach, lower back, buttocks, and genital area.1
Pelvic pain is chronic if it lasts for more than 6 months and affects a woman's quality of life.2 This condition is a common reason why women seek medical care.3
Citations
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
- UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain
- Reiter, R. C. (1996). A profile of women with chronic pelvic pain. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 33, 130–136.
What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?
How many women have pelvic pain?
How can I describe my pain to my health care provider?
Can there be more than one reason for my pelvic pain?
Can pelvic pain affect my ability to become pregnant?
Can alternative therapies treat my pain?