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Pelvic Pain (assigned female at birth)

Woman holding lower pelvic area
Pelvic pain refers to discomfort or pain felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineal area. This type of pain may arise from the muscles, joints, nerves, or organs within the pelvis and is often linked to conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis, post-surgical recovery, pregnancy-related changes, vaginal mesh related complications or may have a psychological cause.

We understand that pelvic pain can have a significant impact on your daily life, mobility, and emotional well-being. Pelvic pain is often complex in nature and also be associated with bladder and/ or bowel problems. Please see our other sections on this website. 

Dyspareunia (pain during or after sexual intercourse)

The pain may be felt at the vaginal opening, deep within the pelvis, or even around the pelvic floor muscles, depending on the underlying cause.

There are many potential causes, which may include:
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction (tight, weak, or uncoordinated pelvic muscles)
  • Vaginal dryness (often due to hormonal changes, like menopause or breastfeeding)
  • Endometriosis (where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside the uterus)
  • Interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome
  • Infections (e.g., yeast infections, UTIs, STIs)
  • Scarring from surgery or childbirth
  • Emotional or psychological factors, such as anxiety, past trauma, or relationship stress

Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is chronic pain or discomfort felt in the vulva, labia, and vaginal opening. The pain can be constant or intermittent and may feel like burning, stinging, rawness, irritation or throbbing. It can be caused by skin disorders like lichen sclerosus, scarring after surgery (with or without mesh), pelvic floor muscle dysfunction or tightness, hormonal changes, childbirth, psychological stress or trauma or female genital mutilation.

Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles around the vagina involuntarily tighten or spasm when penetration is attempted—such as during sex, a gynaecological exam, or even tampon use—making it painful, difficult, or impossible.

Lack of oestrogen

A lack of oestrogen caused by the perimenopause, menopause or breastfeeding can cause vaginal dryness, irritation, pain or discomfort

Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)

BPS - sometimes known as interstitial cystitis - is a chronic condition that causes pain and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, often associated with bladder symptoms. This could be urgency, frequency and pain when passing urine.

Pelvic floor muscle problems

Non-Relaxing Pelvic Floor Muscles—sometimes called pelvic floor muscle dysfunction or hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction—occur when the muscles in the pelvic floor stay tense and are unable to fully relax, even when they should (like during urination or bowel movements).

Other causes

Other pelvic conditions can cause pain such as:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Irritable or inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Endometriosis or adenomyosis
  • Vaginal cysts or growths
  • Coccydynia (pain felt over the coccyx or tail bone)