Let’s set the record straight
When you say “pelvic pain,” most people picture someone curled up on the couch with a hot water bottle and a packet of Panadol. But the reality is often more layered — quiet, complex, and sometimes even misunderstood by those experiencing it.
Pelvic pain isn’t just “period pain.” It’s not just “what happens during that time of the month.” And the danger of thinking it is? It keeps too many people undiagnosed, untreated, and unheard.
So let’s talk about it — in a way that makes space for the real stories, the science, and why we still need awareness in 2025.
What Counts as Pelvic Pain? (Hint: It’s More Than You Think)
Pelvic pain can present like a shape-shifter. One day it’s cramping, the next it’s a burning ache or a stab you didn’t see coming. Sometimes it feels like bloating; other times, like a pulled muscle you didn’t earn. It might flare up only around your period — or it might stick around uninvited, for days, weeks, or even years.
Here are some common forms it can take:
- Deep, aching pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
- Shooting or stabbing sensations near the ovaries
- Pain with urination and bowel movements
- A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or fullness in the pelvis
- Nerve-like tingling or burning around the vaginal or rectal area
- Pain that persists outside of your period — often daily, often unexplained
Some people describe it as a dull throb. Others say it feels like glass shards in the abdomen. The point is: there’s no one-size-fits-all symptom. And because it varies so widely, pelvic pain is often misinterpreted — even by experienced clinicians.
These symptoms may point to conditions like:
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Interstitial cystitis (bladder pain syndrome)
- Vaginismus or vulvodynia
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)
- Nerve entrapment (e.g. pudendal neuralgia)
- Post-surgical adhesions or scarring
Chronic pelvic pain affects up to 1 in 6 Australian women, with diagnosis delays for conditions like endometriosis averaging around 6.5 years.
And let’s not forget the emotional side: pain affects sleep, libido, energy levels, and self-esteem. It’s not 'just in your head' — but it can take a toll on your mental and emotional wellbeing, and that deserves just as much care.
And that’s just the start.
Why Awareness (Still) Matters
We’ve made progress in how we talk about periods and reproductive health — but pelvic pain still seems to slip through the cracks.
Too often, when someone describes their pain, they’re met with a wave of well-meaning but dismissive responses — things like "It’s probably just stress," or "That’s normal for women," or "Let’s wait and see what happens." While these phrases might be intended to reassure, they can unintentionally downplay someone’s lived experience and delay proper care.
These responses may seem benign, but over time, they wear down confidence and delay much-needed care. A raised eyebrow here, a rushed appointment there — and suddenly years pass before anyone puts a name to the pain.
This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about recognising a pattern — one shaped by outdated assumptions, discomfort with open conversations, and the fact that pelvic pain doesn’t always come with visible symptoms.
And while things are getting better, many people still find themselves stuck in a limbo: their pain is common, but that doesn’t make it okay.
It deserves attention, not endurance.
The Cultural Blind Spot
Why is it still so hard to talk openly about pelvic pain?
Part of it stems from long-held social norms — the idea that anything to do with our reproductive or pelvic health is private, embarrassing, or even taboo. For many, talking about what happens "down there" still feels off-limits. That silence, however well-intended, leaves a lot of people feeling alone in their experience.
Historically, medical research hasn’t always reflected the needs of people with uteruses. While we’ve made strides, many conditions tied to pelvic pain still receive limited funding and attention, and that means gaps in diagnosis, care, and support continue to exist.
Medical research in Australia is only just beginning to catch up with the complex realities of pelvic pain — many conditions remain underfunded, underdiagnosed, and misunderstood.
But by gently lifting the lid on these conversations, we help shift the narrative — from one of quiet suffering to one of shared understanding. It’s not about blame; it’s about progress.
And progress begins with being heard.
The Invisible Cost of Being Misunderstood
“47% of Australian women have experienced pelvic pain in the past five years. Among those affected, 57% reported negative impacts on their mental and emotional wellbeing.”
When pelvic pain isn’t recognised for what it is, the consequences ripple out — emotionally, physically, and even socially.
Some people may begin to question their own experiences. Others might delay seeking care or feel discouraged after being told it’s "not that bad." Over time, this can erode confidence and leave individuals feeling dismissed or unseen — not just by the medical system, but sometimes by their own support networks.
And the impact is more widespread than many realise. According to the 2023 National Women’s Health Survey, nearly half (47%) of Australian women have experienced pelvic pain in the past five years. Among those affected, 57% reported negative impacts on their mental and emotional wellbeing. One in three said it had affected their relationships with partners, while one in five reported strain in relationships with friends and family (source: Endometriosis Australia, 2023 National Women’s Health Survey).
These aren’t just numbers — they represent real lives, real relationships, and real moments missed. Understanding the full impact of that pain — from altered routines to the emotional toll of not being believed — is the first step in changing how we respond to it.
Empathy, not assumption, is what moves us forward.
What You Can Do (Beyond Raising an Eyebrow)
Whether you’re living with pelvic pain yourself or simply walking alongside someone who is, there’s a shared role we can all play in creating a more understanding and compassionate world. Here’s how we begin to move forward — gently, thoughtfully, and together:
🔹 Be curious, not dismissive. Ask questions. Seek credible resources. Don’t assume you know someone’s pain just because you’ve had a cramp or two.
🔹 Share this with someone who needs it. You never know whose burden you might lighten.
🔹 Back practitioners who listen. Seek care from clinicians who take pelvic pain seriously. (At Hazel, that’s kind of our whole thing.)
🔹 Use your voice. Whether online or in your group chat — normalise these convos. Period.
The Hazel Perspective
At Hazel, we’re not just here to treat pain — we’re here to reframe it. Through evidence-based care, compassionate conversations, and the development of targeted treatments, we’re supporting people on their journey to relief.
We believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and validated — especially in a healthcare system that’s been slow to catch up.
So no, pelvic pain isn’t just “period pain.” And no, you’re not being dramatic.
You’re not alone. You’re courageous for speaking up. And we’re right here, listening, believing, and walking beside you.
