Lower Abdominal & Pelvic Pain Causes

There are many causes of pelvic pain, some of which are much more serious than others. Gynaecologists have, in recent years, reported that chronic pelvic pain could arise from multiple conditions. To determine the exact cause of anorectal and pelvic pain, an appointment with a specialist gynaecology clinic is advised.

Sharp Lower Abdominal & Pelvic Pain

Acute pelvic pain is pain which manifests itself suddenly and for the first time. If you are experiencing this type of pelvic pain, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

In women who are not pregnant, there are several common causes of acute pelvic pain, which includes:

• Ovarian Cysts – which are fluid-filled sacs that develop on an ovary.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – which are bacterial infections in the womb, often occurring as a result of a sexually transmitted infection, particularly Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea. PID requires immediate treatment via antibiotics, as leaving it untreated can lead to infertility.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – an infection of the urinary system which causes a painful burning sensation when using the toilet or the need for frequent urination.
• Constipation – which causes pain in the abdomen and normally occurs because of dietary changes, some medications, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Appendicitis – where the appendix swells up. This is normally very painful on the right-hand side of the lower abdomen.
• Peritonitis – is the inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue which lines the inside of the abdomen. Symptoms are sharp, sudden pain in the abdomen, which slowly gets worse. Immediate treatment is vital.

Other, less common causes of shooting lower back and abdominal pelvic pain are:

• Pelvic abscesses – which is a collection of pus between the vagina and womb. This requires urgent medical treatment in A&E.
• Endometriosis – a chronic, long-term condition where the tissue which lines the womb grows outside of the uterus and causes frequent pain, particularly during menstruation.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain, which has lasted for six months or more, is known as chronic and affects around 1 in 6 women. It is often described best as a dragging pain in the lower abdomen, and It can either come or go or may be constant. It is more severe than normal menstrual cramps experienced during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

If you are experiencing severe lower abdominal pain or chronic pelvic pain, you should speak to your GP at the soonest opportunity.

There are several common causes of this type of lower pelvic pain, some of which are the same as acute pelvic pain:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome – which is a long-term condition affecting many people. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal (stomach) cramps, constipation and diarrhoea.

Other, less common causes of chronic pelvic pain & pelvic congestion syndrome include:

• Recurrent ovarian cysts
• Recurrent UTIs
• Lower back pain & bowel movement
• Uterine Fibroids – which are tumours growing in or around the womb. They are typically non-cancerous, but in a few cases, can cause pain, particularly where they have become twisted.
• Womb prolapse – which is where the womb has slipped down into a different position, causing a ‘dragging’ feeling.
• Adenomyosis – which is endometriosis that is affecting the womb muscles and causing heavy, painful periods.
• Chronic Interstitial Cystitis – which is a long-term condition where the bladder is inflamed.
• Inflammatory bowel disease – which includes two chronic conditions; Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
• A hernia – which means an internal body part has pushed through into the muscle or tissue wall surrounding it

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