What is pelvic pain?
"Pelvic pain" is a general term used to describe pain that occurs mostly or only in the region below a woman's belly button. This region includes the lower stomach, lower back, bottom, and genital area.1 Pelvic pain is chronic if it lasts for more than 6 months and affects a woman's quality of life.2 This condition is a common reason why women seek medical care.3
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103,589–605. [top]
- UCSF Medical Center. (2012). Pelvic pain. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain [top]
- Reiter, R. C. (1996). A profile of women with chronic pelvic pain. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 33,130–136 [top]