Living with Pelvic Pain? Signs & Symptoms to Look Out For

Pelvic pain is one of the most misunderstood health issues — often brushed off as “just period pain,” when in reality, it’s far more complex.

For some, pelvic pain is cyclical — tied to menstruation and hormonal changes. For others, it’s a constant ache, a sharp jolt, or a deep sense of pressure that comes and goes without warning. It can flare during sex, when going to the toilet, after exercise, or even just from sitting too long. And it doesn’t always follow the rules we’ve been taught about how pain should look or behave.

What makes pelvic pain especially complex is that it’s often not a single diagnosis — it’s a symptom that can be caused by multiple, overlapping conditions. It can be caused by period cramping, gynaecological issues like endometriosis or adenomyosis, or even by bladder, bowel, muscular, or nerve conditions. Sometimes it’s one cause. Often, it’s a combination.

Despite how common it is, pelvic pain is still frequently misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and dismissed — especially in people assigned female at birth. That’s why recognising the signs and tracking your symptoms is so important.

In this article, we’ll explore what pelvic pain really is, what to watch for, and when to seek help — because you deserve to be heard, believed, and properly cared for.

What Is Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain refers to pain or discomfort located in the lower abdomen — specifically the area below the belly button and between the hips. It may be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (lasting for six months or longer), and it can vary widely in intensity, duration, and character.

Some people describe pelvic pain as sharp, stabbing, or cramping. Others experience it as a dull ache, a burning sensation, or a feeling of pressure or heaviness. It may occur intermittently or be constant, and it can be triggered or worsened by activities like menstruation, sex, bowel movements, urination, prolonged sitting or standing, or physical exertion. In some cases, the pain has no obvious trigger.

Pelvic pain is often misunderstood as being solely related to menstruation, but it can stem from a wide range of causes — including conditions affecting the reproductive organs, bladder, bowel, pelvic floor muscles, and even the nervous system. It may also result from multiple overlapping issues, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.

Pelvic pain is considered chronic when it:

• Persists for six months or more, and
• Occurs outside of menstruation, or
• Recurs in a way that interferes with daily functioning or quality of life.
  
  

Pelvic pain can be a symptom of many conditions — but when it becomes persistent, lasts longer than six months, and interferes with daily life, it may also be diagnosed as a condition in its own right: chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

If you’re dealing with ongoing pelvic pain, keeping track of your symptoms — when they show up, what makes them worse, and how they affect your day — can be a really helpful first step in getting the right support.

Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For

Pelvic pain doesn’t always follow a predictable pattern — and it doesn’t have to be severe to be serious. What matters is how it’s affecting your life. These are some common signs and symptoms that could indicate an underlying condition worth investigating:

• Pain during your period (dysmenorrhea): especially if it's intense, starts before bleeding, or worsens over time.
• Pain between periods: ongoing or random pain that doesn’t seem tied to your menstrual cycle.
• Pain with sex (dyspareunia): particularly deep pain during or after penetration.
• Pain when going to the toilet: including bowel movements or urination, sometimes mistaken for IBS or UTIs.
• Pelvic pressure, bloating, or a heavy dragging sensation: especially if it worsens throughout the day.
• Pain that radiates to your lower back or thighs.
• Spotting or bleeding between periods.
• Fatigue, mood changes, or sleep disturbances linked to chronic discomfort.
• Pain when sitting or standing for long periods

These symptoms might come and go, or feel manageable one day and overwhelming the next. That inconsistency is part of what makes pelvic pain so tricky — and so often overlooked.

If you’ve been experiencing any of the above, especially if it’s affecting your work, relationships, or daily routines, it’s worth seeking support. Because you don’t need to wait until the pain is unbearable to receive answers.

What Can Cause Pelvic Pain? 

Pelvic pain is a symptom — not a diagnosis. That’s why understanding the possible causes is key to getting the right treatment. In some cases, there’s one clear underlying issue. In others, several overlapping conditions may be contributing to the pain.

Here are some of the more common causes of persistent or chronic pelvic pain — but it’s important to know this isn’t a complete list. Everyone’s body is different, and a thorough medical assessment through a trusted Healthcare professional, like Hazel’s doctors, is the best way to understand what’s going on for you.

• Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — often on the ovaries, bowel, or pelvic lining. It can cause intense period pain, pain with sex or bowel movements, fatigue, and fertility challenges. Around 1 in 9 Australian women are diagnosed, but many remain undiagnosed for years.
  
  
• Adenomyosis: Occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, leading to heavy, painful periods and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvis.
  
  
• Uterine Fibroids: Noncancerous growths in or around the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, cramping, or bloating.
  
  
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by untreated STIs or bacteria. It can cause sharp pelvic pain, fever, and changes in vaginal discharge.
  
  
• Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis): Chronic inflammation of the bladder wall that leads to pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and frequency — often mistaken for recurrent UTIs.
  
  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A gastrointestinal condition that can cause abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea — sometimes overlapping with pelvic symptoms.
  
  
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: When the muscles that support your pelvic organs are too tight, weak, or not working in coordination. This can lead to pain during sex, difficulty going to the toilet, and a sense of pressure or heaviness.
  
  
• Nerve-related pain: Chronic pelvic pain can also be caused or worsened by nerve entrapment or sensitisation — especially in cases where pain persists after surgery, injury, or trauma.
  
  
• Psychological and trauma-related factors: Pelvic pain is very real and physical, but it can also be influenced by psychological stress or a history of trauma. This doesn’t mean the pain is “in your head” — it means your nervous system, emotional state, and physical health are deeply connected.

Pelvic pain is complex, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We’re here to help you understand your symptoms — and how to get the care you deserve.

When to Seek Help

It’s easy to second-guess pelvic pain — especially when you’ve been told it’s “normal,” or you’re not sure how serious it really is. But here’s the truth: if pelvic pain is interfering with your daily life, it’s worth investigating. You don’t need to wait until it becomes unbearable.

You deserve to be heard — and to have your symptoms taken seriously — if:

• Your pain is persistent, recurring, or getting worse over time
• You’re missing work, school, social events, or sleep because of the pain
• Sex, exercise, or going to the toilet causes discomfort
• Pain affects your ability to concentrate, function, or feel like yourself
• You’ve been told “everything looks normal,” but you still feel like something’s wrong
• You’ve seen multiple providers and still don’t have answers
• You’re tired of being dismissed, brushed off, or told to “wait and see”
  
  

At Hazel, we know how frustrating and exhausting it can be to live with pelvic pain — especially when the healthcare system doesn’t always listen. That’s why we’ve built a different kind of care model.

Our team of GPs, pelvic health specialists, psychologists, and naturopaths work together to investigate your symptoms, listen to your story, and create a care plan that’s tailored to your body — not just a checklist of test results.

Whether you’re looking for a second opinion, a proper diagnosis, or just someone who’ll actually take you seriously, Hazel is here to help.

You Deserve Real Answers — and Real Support

Pelvic pain is complex, but getting help shouldn’t be. Whether your symptoms are new, longstanding, or still unclear, they’re worth investigating — and you’re not overreacting for wanting relief.

At Hazel, we understand that pelvic pain isn’t just a physical issue — it can affect every part of your life. That’s why we take a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that looks at your full picture, not just your scan results. You’ll be listened to, believed, and supported by a team who genuinely cares.

You don’t have to live with pelvic pain. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Book an appointment with Hazel’s expert care team today — and take the first step toward answers, relief, and support that actually makes a difference. Book now.