7 PELVIC PAINS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE

Knowing what's normal and what's not can help you do what it takes to feel better fast.

- KAITLYN PIRIE

There's a lot going on in the area between your navel and your privates, and as a result, many different things can cause pain there. In one study, 20% of the participants (who were women between ages 30 and 64) reported experiencing pain in their pelvic region, a general term for the lower abdominal area. And pinpointing the cause of the ouch and finding the right treatment can be difficult.

Endometriosis is a prime example: An estimated 10% of women suffer from the painful condition, yet it takes an average of eight to 12 years to receive that diagnosis.

Why is pelvic pain so mysterious? Your bladder, parts of your intestine and your rectum all sit in your pelvic cavity, in addition to reproductive organs and various muscles, points out Kiarra King, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn in Chicago. Any of these could be the site of the pain, and some causes can't be seen on imaging or in lab work. That's why "patients have to be their own best advocates when it comes to pelvic pain," says Sherry Ross, M.D., an ob/gyn and the author of She-ology.

The symptoms here are some of the most common among women. Let your doctor know if you experience any so they can diagnose (and treat) the condition causing your discomfort. If your reproductive organs check out, see a gastroenterologist, a urologist or another specialist, suggests Dr. King, so you can keep sleuthing until you get the relief you need.

Pain while peeing