Pelvic pain can interrupt work, sleep, exercise, and intimacy. Whether it is new, comes and goes, or has lasted for months, you deserve to be heard. At Davie OBGYN, we take your symptoms seriously and help you work toward a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Understanding Pelvic Pain
What can cause pelvic pain?
Pain below the belly button can come from reproductive organs, the bladder, bowel, muscles, or nerves. More than one cause may be present.
Possible causes include endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, infection, bladder conditions, constipation, and tight or tender pelvic floor muscles.
Common symptoms and red flags
Tell your physician about:
- A dull ache, pressure, or sharp pain.
- Pain during periods or sex.
- Pain with urination or bowel movements.
- Bloating or changes in bleeding.
- Pain that limits everyday activities.
When to get urgent care: Go to an emergency department for sudden severe pain, fainting, or pain with possible pregnancy and bleeding. Severe pain with fever or vomiting also needs urgent assessment. These symptoms may signal an ectopic pregnancy, infection, or a twisted ovary.
ACOG explains acute and chronic pelvic pain.
Why an in-person evaluation matters
An online symptom checker cannot assess tenderness, examine pelvic muscles, or collect samples for infection testing. Ultrasound can help identify structural problems, but normal imaging does not rule out every cause of pain.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Tell your story. We review where the pain occurs, when it started, and what makes it better or worse.
- Discuss a focused exam. An abdominal or pelvic exam may help. You can ask questions or request a pause.
- Choose appropriate tests. These may include pregnancy testing, urine testing, infection testing, or on-site ultrasound.
- Plan follow-up. Some conditions require additional imaging or care from another specialist.
Bring a symptom diary if you have one, but do not delay care to create one.
Treatment Based on the Cause
Your plan may include pain medication, hormonal treatment, treatment for a confirmed or suspected infection, or pelvic floor physical therapy. Bowel or bladder conditions may require coordinated care.
Heat, gentle movement, and changes to daily activities may support comfort. Selected patients benefit from surgery or specialist treatment. Persistent pain often responds best to a combination of approaches. ACOG’s pelvic pain guidance describes this individualized approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pelvic pain always mean a gynecologic problem?
No. Bladder, bowel, muscle, and nerve conditions can also cause pelvic pain.
Can I have endometriosis with a normal ultrasound?
Yes. Ultrasound may detect some forms of endometriosis, but a normal scan does not exclude it.
Should I wait until the pain is constant?
No. Repeated pain that affects your life deserves evaluation, even if you have pain-free days.
What if no cause is found at the first visit?
Your pain is still real. Further evaluation and treatment can continue even when initial testing is normal.
Pelvic Pain Care That Starts With Listening
Davie OBGYN provides board-certified evaluation and on-site ultrasound when indicated. We welcome patients from Davie, Cooper City, Weston, Plantation, and Pembroke Pines.
For an emergency, call 911. Not sure what you need? See our patient resource center.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: September 26, 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.