For Women (and AFAB)

Pelvic pain in women and people assigned female at birth: causes, patterns and care.

Pelvic pain affects around one in five women and people assigned female at birth at some point in their lives, yet it remains a condition that is often misunderstood and rarely discussed.

Chronic pelvic pain is frequently under-recognised, in part because it does not always appear on scans or during surgery. As a result, many people experience ongoing pain without clear answers, unsure where to seek help or whether their symptoms will be taken seriously.

Pelvic pain can present in many different ways and for a range of reasons. It commonly begins during adolescence, often around the time menstruation starts, but can occur at any stage of life. Pain may originate in pelvic organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder or bowel, including conditions like endometriosis. It can also arise from muscles, joints or connective tissues, sometimes following injury. In some cases, pelvic pain begins during periods of significant stress, and in others, no single cause can be identified.

Pelvic pain is complex and individual. Understanding its many possible contributors is an important step toward effective care and management.

Explore our resources to learn more about pelvic pain and related conditions.