Chronic pelvic pain is persistent pain in the area below your belly button and between your hips that lasts for six months or longer. It affects a significant number of women, and it can range from a dull, steady ache to sharp pain that comes and goes. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing pelvic discomfort, you’re not alone, and treatment is available.
What Counts as Chronic Pelvic Pain
Not all pelvic pain is the same. Some women describe it as a constant heaviness or pressure, while others feel cramping, burning, or sharp stabbing sensations. The pain may be worse during your period, during or after sex, when you use the bathroom, or even just when you sit for long periods of time.
What makes pelvic pain “chronic” is that it sticks around. Everyone has occasional aches and pains, but when discomfort in your pelvic area becomes a regular part of your life for months on end, that’s a signal your body is telling you to get help.
Common Causes of Pelvic Pain
Several different conditions can cause chronic pelvic pain. In many cases, more than one issue may be contributing to the pain simultaneously.
Endometriosis is one of the most well-known causes of pelvic pain. It happens when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows in other areas of your pelvis. This tissue responds to your hormones the same way your uterine lining does, which leads to inflammation, scarring, and pain that often gets worse around your period. Endometriosis can also cause pain during sex and may affect fertility.
