The pubic symphysis is where two halves of the pelvic bone come together. The symphysis joint is held together with ligaments and soft tissue. The term "symphysis" comes from Greek, meaning “a natural junction,” and "pubic" comes from Latin, meaning “full-grown.” Your pubic symphysis may develop problems during pregnancy, but there are ways to manage them.
What Is the Pubic Symphysis?
The pubic symphysis is a joint made of a fibrocartilaginous disc settled between your pubic bones. The joint is designed to withstand tension and compressive forces. The pubic symphysis anatomy is slightly flexible — it can shift and rotate under certain conditions.
Your pubic symphysis forms a line down your pelvis. This joint has been widely studied as far back as 1543. Beginning research focused on the stretching and movement of pubic bones during childbirth.
Pubic symphysis location. Your pelvic bones sit within the pelvic girdle. There are three bones, the sacrum and two hip bones. Within your pelvic girdle are three joints, one of which is the pubic symphysis.
How Does the Pubic Symphysis Function?
The pubic symphysis plays an essential role in stabilizing your pelvis. This joint also allows your pelvic bones to move in different directions and rotate during certain conditions. These movements may be necessary when walking or running.
Pubic symphysis function is vital during pregnancy and childbirth. As the body changes and hormones circulate, the fibrocartilaginous disc that allows your pubic symphysis to move becomes more flexible. The disc increases in width and has extra mobility to allow a baby to move through your pelvis during childbirth.
Your pubic symphysis is held together by strong ligaments. If your pubic symphysis gets dislocated, your pubic bones could separate. When this happens, your other joints don’t function properly, and the friction can cause pain and other problems.
Signs Something Could Be Wrong With Your Pubic Symphysis
Pain in the front or back of your pelvis could be a sign that something’s wrong with your pubic symphysis. You may also feel pain in your hips or thighs. This pain is called pelvic girdle pain, also known as pubic symphysis dysfunction, and affects your sacroiliac joints. These are the other two joints found alongside your pubic symphysis joint.
Problems with pubic symphysis can show up in different types of pain. The pain could be:
- Burning
- Stabbing
- Sharp
- Pins and needles, or tingling
Pelvic pain isn’t only in your pelvis. Pain or an uncomfortable feeling can happen in your glutes or hips. You may feel pain in your tailbone or pubic bone. Joint pain in your pelvis is also common. Certain pubic symphysis problems can lead to a tender feeling in your lower back, butt, or abdomen.
Pubic symphysis pain isn’t always severe and noticeable. Sometimes, the pain only feels like a dull ache or slight pinch. The pain doesn’t always double you over, making you unable to walk. Typically, the pain starts on one side.
Moving your legs apart when you get in or out of bed or in a car can cause pubic symphysis pain to flare up. Going up and down stairs, moving too much or even too little, and sitting in one place for too long can cause pubic symphysis pain.
Other signs of a problem with your pubic symphysis joint include a grinding or clicking feeling in your pubic area. This feeling may worsen when you move your legs apart or move in a different motion.
What Conditions Affect the Pubic Symphysis?
Pain disorders most affect the pubic symphysis. The most common condition in pregnant women is pubic symphysis dysfunction. This condition can cause pregnancy pain and lead to other complications, including depression.
What was once called symphysis pubis dysfunction is now called pelvic girdle pain by health professionals. The new name helps explain that all joints are affected in your pelvis, not just the pubic symphysis joint.
Pelvic girdle pain consists of problems in your pelvic and lower back area. You may also feel pain radiating down your upper thighs and your perineum. These symptoms can happen during pregnancy as your body changes. In most cases, pelvic girdle pain can abruptly go away after birth.
Living with chronic pelvic pain can lower your quality of life by making average movements painful.
How to Protect the Pubic Symphysis
After pregnancy and childbirth, there are treatment options for your pelvis. Soft tissue therapy can help your body bounce back after the pain of pregnancy and labor. If you’re dealing with pubic symphysis pain while pregnant, there are home remedies you can try to ease the pain.
These include keeping ice around for your pubic area. Using a pillow between your knees while sleeping and stretching regularly is also helpful.
Getting up and moving can be good for your pelvic floor. Sitting too long can cause more painful problems with your pubic area.
If these home remedies aren’t working, talk to your doctor about physical or massage therapy. Your body may need extra care to help relieve the pain. Acupuncture and chiropractic care are also options for relieving pelvic pain and protecting your pubis symphysis.
When sleeping, make sure you have a pillow that goes from your knees to your ankles. This will help create support for your pubic symphysis. When in bed, be careful to avoid twisting your spine and throwing your body around from side to side. Move with intentions and keep your core and pelvis stable when moving.
There are some exercises you can try to help ease your pelvic pain. But avoid exercises like cycling that can make the pain worse. Swimming and other exercises that go easy on your joints are recommended if dealing with pubic symphysis dysfunction.
Pregnancy is a common time in your life to experience pubic symphysis pain. But there are other instances when this pain can happen. The most important thing to remember is to stretch, rest, and relax.
You can exercise and stretch to take precautions, but if you’re dealing with severe pain, listen to your body and rest. Pushing your body too far can cause irreversible damage to your pelvic girdle. Talk to your doctor if you need assistance creating a relief plan.