Pelvic pain can have a number of different causes. Some of them are harmless (like regular menstrual discomfort), while some cause can be quite dangerous. Despite the fact that many health issues can be asymptomatic, pelvic pain can be a hint that will help you make an appointment with the doctor. You should understand that many medical conditions require timely and proper treatment. That’s why we gathered these five types of pelvic pain that you should never ignore.

1. Pain during periods

Despite the fact that mild pain during periods is not dangerous, prolonged severe cramps that interfere with normal activity can manifest a serious disease. Pain during menstruation is also called dysmenorrhea. This condition is divided into two types, primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is a regular pain that is caused by the shedding of the endometrium. 

Secondary dysmenorrhea means that usual menstrual cramps are aggravated with a certain medical condition. Conditions like PID, endometriosis, PCOS, and many others can affect the menstrual cycle and lead to severe pain. If left untreated, most of them can lead to unpleasant consequences such as chronic pelvic pain and even infertility.

2. Pain during sex

Painful sensations during intercourse are familiar to many women. They can be caused by many factors like too deep penetration, uncomfortable position, recent childbirth, etc. However, certain medical conditions can also spoil your regular sex life. Uterine fibroids and endometriosis can lead to unpleasant sensations and even spotting during sexual intercourse.

You should also know that a lack of lubrication may also make your sex less pleasant. This condition is called vaginal dryness. Despite the fact that it usually affects perimenopausal and menopausal women, sone young women can also experience this condition. A lack of lubrication usually develops as a result of low estrogen production in the body. You may ask your gynecologist about treatment options and additional lubrication.

3. Pain during bowel movements

There are quite a few different reasons that can cause pain during bowel movements. In women, it is often caused by an ovarian cyst, and in men, discomfort in the anus is often caused by prostate inflammation. However, more often pain during bowel movements, regardless of the person’s gender, indicates hemorrhoids, anal fissure, paraproctitis, proctitis, or colorectal cancer. You should understand that all these conditions require timely and proper treatment. 

4. Pain during urination

Burning or painful sensations during urination are usually caused by inflammation of the urethra or bladder. Moreover, many women with vulvovaginitis (inflammation in the vagina or in the area around the vaginal entrance) can also experience pain when urine enters the affected area. Inflammation that is accompanied by burning or pain, is usually caused by infection. 

The most common conditions that can cause pain during urination include bladder infection (cystitis), urethra infection (urethritis), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If left untreated, bacteria that cause urethritis and cystitis can penetrate the kidneys. You should also know that many STIs can develop into a pelvic inflammatory disease that also manifests itself through painful urination.

5. Pain during ovulation

You should know that mild pain and discomfort during ovulation are considered normal. Such pain usually passes quickly and doesn’t require any treatment. However, is the pain is persistent and accompanies by a fever or spotting, it can be a sign of certain diseases. Conditions like salpingitis, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and PCOS require medical attention due to unpleasant consequences they may cause.

If pain during ovulation causes anxiety, lasts more than three days, or is associated with other unusual symptoms, it is better to make an appointment with a gynecologist. He or she may prescribe you hormonal contraception that changes the menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation.