What Are the Causes of Acute Pelvic Pain?

Millions of Americans suffer from pain in the pelvic region. Although people frequently associate pelvic pain with gynecological problems in females, men can experience it, too. Determining the reason for the pain can be challenging for health care providers, because so many different problems can cause it. Pelvic pain can range from mild pain that is just a nuisance to acute pain that signals a life-threatening illness.

Appendicitis

• Acute appendicitis is a condition that can cause severe pelvic pain in both men and women. When an inflammation strikes the appendix, it fills with pus and causes pain. As the inflammation grows worse, the pain increases as well and can become acute. The lower right part of the stomach hurts and feels tender. Movements such as walking or coughing can worsen the pain. An inflamed appendix is a serious problem and needs to be removed by surgery.

Ectopic Pregnancy

• At the beginning of a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. But in an ectopic pregnancy, also called a tubal pregnancy, the egg stays in one of the fallopian tubes that lead to the uterus. These tubes usually act as passageways for the fertilized egg. Because the egg can't live in the fallopian tube, this type of pregnancy can cause serious, potentially life-threatening problems. If left untreated, the woman can bleed to death. Pain and cramping in the pelvis can become severe, and the woman must have surgery.

Endometriosis

• The lining of a woman's uterus is called the endometrial lining. When endometrial tissue grows anywhere in the pelvic region outside the uterus, it can cause pain. This condition is called endometriosis and is a frequent problem for women of child-bearing age. A large amount of endometriosis may cause no pain at all, or a very small amount may cause excruciating pain. Women with endometriosis can have extremely painful cramps during their menstrual period and chronic pain in the pelvic region the rest of the month. Pelvic pain may increase during sexual intercourse or ovulation.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Pelvic inflammatory disease is a generic name for any infection in a woman's reproductive area, such as the ovaries, uterus or fallopian tubes. The most common type of pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms include pain in the pelvic region. Rarely, a woman can get a pelvic inflammatory disease after childbirth or a miscarriage.

Acute Prostatitis

• Acute prostatitis happens when a male's prostate becomes infected with bacteria. Prostatitis can cause severe pain in the man's pelvic region, including throbbing pain in the rectum, penis and groin, and pain between the anus and scrotum. The man will also have pain with ejaculation.