A number of conditions can cause pelvic pain, including gynecologic, urologic, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological and psychological disorders. Common causes among men and women include:

• Urinary tract infection. An infection that occurs along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
  
  
• Sexually transmitted disease (e.g., gonorrhea).
  
  
• Muscle spasms (such as pelvic floor tension myalgia) or muscle strain.
  
  
• Kidney stones. These can also cause back pain and abdominal pain.
  
  
• Bladder stones.
  
  
• Hernia. Bulging of a muscle through the pelvic wall.
  
  
• Urethritis. Inflammation of the urethra.
  
  
• Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome). Inflammation of the bladder wall.
  
  
• Appendicitis. Inflammation of the appendix.
  
  
• Pelvic fracture. This can result from severe acute trauma such as a car accident or fall from a great height. Pelvic fractures can also occur in elderly people because of a fall to the floor or osteoporosis.
  
  
• Diverticulitis. Inflammation of an abnormal pouch (diverticulosis) in the intestinal wall.
  
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A disorder in which the large intestine does not function properly.
  
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
  
  
• Peritonitis. Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).
  
  
• Cancer, such as colorectal or pelvic bone cancer.
  
  
• Pelvic adhesions. Scar tissue in the pelvis.
  
  
• Pelvic congestion syndrome. Varicose veins within the pelvis.
  
  
• Pelvic abscesses. Pockets of pus in the pelvis.
  
  
• Fibromyalgia. A condition characterized by widespread pain in joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues.
  
  
• Somatization disorder. A condition in which psychological problems cause a person to make a number of physical complaints.
  
  

Overactive bladder (urge incontinence) is a common pelvic condition that is typically not painful. It can, however, impair quality of life. Most common in elderly people, it is caused by involuntary contraction of the smooth muscle of the bladder.

Common causes of pelvic pain in women include:

• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
  
  
• Vaginitis. Inflammation or infection of the vagina and vulva.
  
  
• Ovulation pain.
  
  
• Ovarian cysts. A fluid–filled structure located within or on an ovary.
  
  
• Uterine fibroids. Growth of noncancerous tumors within the wall of the uterus.
  
  
• Pelvic inflammatory disease. Infection of the endometrium (lining of the uterus), fallopian tubes (salpingitis) or ovaries.
  
  
• Endometriosis. A condition in which cells that make up the lining of the uterus are found outside the uterine cavity.
  
  
• Reproductive cancers (e.g., ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer). Ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynecological cancer, often lacks symptoms in early stages. However, researchers have found that many women with ovarian cancer complained of pelvic or abdominal pain months or even years before diagnosis, but their physicians often ordered tests for gastrointestinal problems instead of cancer.
  
  
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). An endocrine disorder involving overproduction of male-type hormones (androgens) by the ovaries.
  
  
• Ovarian remnant syndrome. A condition in which pain is caused by ovarian tissue left behind after removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy).
  
  
• Ectopic pregnancy. A pregnancy in which a fertilized egg implants in tissue outside the uterus.
  
  
• Adenomyosis. A condition in which the cells that make up the lining of the uterus grow into the muscular tissue of the uterus.
  
  
• Vulvodynia. Chronic pain of the vulva, which may involve factors such as allergies, muscle spasms, irritation of nearby nerves or a history of vaginal infections.
  
  
• Retroversion of the uterus. A condition in which the uterus is tipped back instead of forward.
  
  
• Nonspecific. May happen after a Caesarean section or an injury, including sexual assault.
  
  

Causes of male pelvic pain include:

• Prostatitis. A common bacterial infection or other type of irritation of the prostate gland, which may be acute or chronic. Can cause chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men.
  
  
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also called benign prostatic hypertrophy). Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate, common during middle and old age. Constricts the urethra and causes a painful burning during urination (dysuria). Can prevent the bladder from emptying, resulting in pelvic pain.
  
  
• Reproductive cancers (e.g., prostate cancer, testicular cancer).
  
  
• Testicular or scrotal injury, including testicular torsion, which needs immediate medical attention.
  
  

In addition, pelvic pain appears to be linked to patients with mental health issues. Pelvic pain appears to occur more frequently in people with a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse and depression.

Pelvic pain can be a symptom of another condition, or it can be diagnosed as a condition itself. In some cases, more than one factor can cause the pain.