Schedule an Appointment
Search Our Site
Popular Topics
Meet Our Team
About Heather Jeffcoat, DPT | Los Angeles Pelvic Floor Doctor
About Laureen McVicker, PT, CLT
About Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS
About Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
About Sarina Karwande PT, DPT, CAFS
About Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
About Trinity
About Iris
About Christina Yen
About Ejiro Agege
About Judielle
About Hannah
About Mary P. Shriver, CMT
About Christina Lindeman
About Mary Beth Kedzior, CMP
Popular Blog Posts
- Yoga Therapy to Ease Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Staff 2018-07-23
- Pediatrics and Pelvic Health: Encoporesis, Skid Marks, Poop Accidents, and Constipation Staff 2020-09-24
- Finding The Right Personal Lubricant For You Staff 2019-10-30
- Healthy Aging Month: Enjoying Sex With a Bad Back and Hips Staff 2020-09-08
- All About: Tarlov Cyst Staff 2021-08-05
- How Mindfulness Can Help with Erectile Dysfunction Staff 2021-02-11
- Why You Should STOP Doing Kegels NOW Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-29
- Nonbacterial Prostatitis: Chronic Pelvic Pain in Men Staff 2018-07-05
- What are Kegels? Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-04
- Pediatric Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Staff 2018-08-06
- Why you should be doing Kegels RIGHT NOW! Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-08
- Why do my testicles hurt? Staff 2019-07-02
- Evidence-Based Recommendations for Managing Prostatitis Related Pain: Healthy Sex and Lifestyle Habits Staff 2018-07-27
- What’s Up Down There, Doc? Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2015-05-10
- Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pubic Symphysis Pain Staff 2020-02-29
- Evidence-Based Recommendations for Managing Prostatitis Related Pelvic Pain Staff 2018-07-19
- Histamines and Chronic Pelvic Pain, Chronic Prostatitis - the Connection Staff 2021-01-29
- Chronic Constipation 101 Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2018-04-14
- Male Pelvic Pain: What You Should Do If You Have a "Headache in Your Pelvis" Staff 2020-09-17
- Official Book Release Today! Heather Jeffcoat, DPT 2014-09-23
Insider | 8 Conditions That Could be Causing You Pelvic Pain
- Details
- Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
- 851
Heather Jeffcoat, DPT
Insider Reveals 8 Conditions That Could be Causing You Pelvic Pain
And how to treat each one
Many people live with pelvic pain, which affects the lowest part of the abdomen between the belly button and the groin. The pain can range from mild to severe, and its intensity might fluctuate over time.
You can often treat minor pelvic pain at home with a heating pad, warm bath, or OTC medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
However, "prolonged, chronic, and sharp pelvic pain, or random pelvic pain that can be debilitating, is not normal. It could indicate a serious underlying condition," says Thaïs Aliabadi, MD, an OB-GYN with her private practice Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi.
While pelvic pain can suggest sexually transmitted infections, endometriosis, or several other conditions, it doesn't always have a clear cause.
Pelvic pain can also be confused with different types of pain, including pain that affects your bowels or bladder.
Below, we'll cover eight common causes of acute and chronic pelvic pain, plus offer some guidance on when it's best to connect with your doctor.
7. Pelvic girdle pain from pregnancy
Pregnancy can sometimes cause pelvic pain and increase your risk of pelvic floor dysfunction, which could lead to painful vaginal sex and incontinence.
Pelvic girdle pain is a subset of pelvic pain that more commonly comes on in a first pregnancy in the late second or third trimester. If this was an issue in previous pregnancies, it's likely to come on much earlier in subsequent pregnancies if not addressed — as early as the first trimester,"
says Heather Jeffcoat, doctor of physical therapy and President-Elect of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.
How to treat it:
Many pregnant people experience mild pelvic discomfort from the growing uterus and stretching of the round ligaments. This typically doesn't require medical treatment but you may be able to mitigate the pain with the following:
- Manual therapy from a chiropractor or physiotherapist
- Core stabilizing exercises, which can help strengthen hips, stomach, and back muscles along with pelvic floor muscles
- Exercising in water
For the full article at Insider on conditions that could be causing you pelvic pain, click here.
Products We Love
