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Answers for pelvic pain, so you can feel like yourself.

Pelvic pain is pain in the lower belly, below your belly button and between your hips. It is common, but it isn’t something you should have to live with. We’ll take your pain seriously, look for the cause and help you find relief.

CALL 770-451-3100
When to get care right away
Pelvic pain at a glance
  • How common Most women at some point
  • Chronic pain Lasting 6 months or more
  • Diagnosis Your history, an exam and tests
  • Treatment Based on the cause
Types Of Pelvic Pain

Not all pelvic pain is the same

Pelvic pain can be sharp or dull, constant or on and off, mild or severe. Knowing when it started and how it behaves helps us find the cause.

1

Acute

Pain that starts suddenly or recently. Sometimes it is a sign of a problem that needs care right away.

2

Cyclical

Pain that follows your menstrual cycle, such as cramps before or during your period or around ovulation.

3

Chronic

Pain that lasts 6 months or longer. It may be constant or come and go.

Common Causes

What can cause pelvic pain

Many different conditions can cause pelvic pain, and sometimes more than one is involved. These are some of the most common.

Period pain

Cramps

  • Common, but should not keep you from daily life
  • Can be a sign of another condition when severe
  • Often eased with medicine and hormonal treatment

Ovarian cysts

Fluid-filled sacs

  • Most are harmless and go away on their own
  • Can cause dull or sharp pain on one side
  • Sudden severe pain can mean a cyst has burst or twisted

Endometriosis and adenomyosis

Uterine lining tissue

  • Tissue like the uterine lining grows where it shouldn’t
  • Causes painful periods, pelvic pain and pain with sex
  • Very treatable with the right plan

Fibroids

Noncancerous growths

  • Can cause pressure, heaviness and heavy periods
  • Large fibroids can press on the bladder or bowel
  • Many treatment options are available

Infections

Pelvic, urinary and STDs

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease often starts as an untreated STD
  • Urinary tract infections cause burning and pressure
  • Most infections are treated with antibiotics

Muscles, bladder and bowel

Other causes

  • Tight or weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Bladder pain, irritable bowel syndrome or scar tissue
  • Pain can have more than one cause
Don’t wait

When to get care right away

Some pelvic pain is an emergency. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have:

Not sure? Call us at 770-451-3100 and we’ll help you decide where to go.

  • Sudden, severe pelvic pain
  • Pain with a fever or chills
  • Pain with fainting, dizziness or a racing heart
  • Pain with heavy bleeding
  • Pain with vomiting that won’t stop
  • Pain and a chance you could be pregnant
What To Expect

Your visit, step by step

Finding the cause of pelvic pain starts with listening. We’ll explain each step and go at your pace.

01

Talk

Where and when it hurts, how long it has been going on and how it affects your life.

02

Exam

A gentle abdominal and pelvic exam. Tell us if anything hurts, and we can stop at any time.

03

Tests

Depending on your symptoms, a pregnancy test, urine test, STD testing or blood work.

04

Imaging

A pelvic ultrasound to look at your uterus and ovaries. Sometimes more tests are needed.

Before your visit

A little preparation helps us understand your pain faster.

  • Keep a pain diary Where it hurts, when it starts, how bad it is from 1 to 10 and what makes it better or worse.
  • Track your periods So we can see whether your pain follows your cycle.
  • List what you’ve tried Medicines, heat or anything else, and how well it worked.
  • Note other symptoms Changes with your bladder, bowels, periods or sex. It all helps.
Treatment Options

Relief that starts with the cause

Treatment depends on what’s causing your pain. Many women do best with a combination of approaches.

Treating the cause

The first goal

  • Antibiotics for infections
  • Treatment for cysts, fibroids or endometriosis
  • Care tailored to what your tests show

Pain relief

Feel better now

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen
  • Heat on your lower belly or back
  • Gentle movement and rest during flare-ups

Hormonal treatment

For cycle-related pain

  • Birth control pills, the patch, the ring or a hormonal IUD
  • Lightens or stops painful periods
  • Often used for endometriosis and painful periods

Pelvic floor therapy

Physical therapy

  • A specialized therapist helps relax and strengthen pelvic muscles
  • Helps with chronic pain and pain during sex
  • Exercises you can keep doing at home

Procedures

When needed

  • Laparoscopy can find and treat the cause of pain
  • Removal of cysts, fibroids or endometriosis
  • We’ll explain your options before any procedure

Whole-person care

Living well

  • Regular exercise, good sleep and stress relief
  • Counseling to cope with ongoing pain
  • A long-term plan for chronic pain

Your provider will walk you through the benefits and risks of each option, and adjust your plan over time.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Don’t see your question here? Call us at 770-451-3100 and we’ll be glad to help.

Mild cramps are common. Pain that is severe, keeps you from your usual activities or doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers is not normal and is worth checking.

Yes. The bladder, bowel, muscles and nerves in the pelvis can all cause pain. We look at the whole picture and refer you to another specialist if needed.

No. Pain during or after sex is common, but it isn’t something you should ignore. Causes include dryness, infection, endometriosis and tight pelvic floor muscles, and most are treatable.

Your pain is still real. Some causes, like pelvic floor muscle problems or nerve pain, don’t show up on tests. We’ll keep working with you to find relief.

Some causes of pelvic pain, such as endometriosis or untreated infections, can affect fertility. Finding and treating the cause early helps protect it.

If there is any chance you could be pregnant and you have pelvic pain, especially on one side, call us right away. Pain early in pregnancy can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which needs urgent care.

Your pain deserves answers.

Call us to schedule a visit and start finding relief. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.

CALL 770-451-3100
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