Skip to content
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Videos

Chronic Female Pelvic Pain

Font Size
A
A
A

Symptoms

Female pelvic pain means pain that affects the lower abdomen and pelvis. Chronic female pelvic pain is defined as pelvic pain that has persisted for at least 6 months.1

Female pelvic pain symptoms can include:

  • Severe to mild pain.
  • Vague to sharp pain.
  • Severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
  • Low backache 1 or 2 days before the start of the menstrual period (or earlier), subsiding during the period.
  • Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
  • Painful urination.
  • Rectal pain.
  • Pain during bowel movements.

Symptoms that can accompany pelvic pain, depending on the cause, include:

  • Blood in the urine or stool.
  • Vaginal bleeding after intercourse.
  • Heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding.

Depression symptoms are commonly linked to chronic pain. Signs of depression include sleep problems, appetite changes, feelings of emptiness and sadness, and slowed body movements and reactions. If you have depression symptoms, see your health professional. For the best chance of recovery from pain, depression must be treated along with any known physical cause(s) of pain.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 30, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Next Article:

Could It Be Depression?

Feelings of sadness are not the only sign. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of depression.

webMD Video

Show or hide information about video: Boosting Your Breasts Without Implants   Boosting Your Breasts Without Implants

48x48_boosting_your_breasts_without_implants.jpg

A breakthrough procedure gives women who want bigger breasts, but don’t like the idea of implant surgery, a new option.

Watch Video: Boosting Your Breasts Without Implants (opens in a new window)

Show or hide information about video: Dirty Truth About Hand Washing   Dirty Truth About Hand Washing

Show or hide information about video: Too Busy To Exercise?   Too Busy To Exercise?

Show or hide information about video: Boost Your Immune System   Boost Your Immune System

Show or hide information about video: What's Your Sleep Personality?   What's Your Sleep Personality?