When Should You Go to the ER for Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain can have many different causes, ranging from mild menstrual cramping to conditions that require urgent medical attention. While many causes of pelvic pain can be evaluated in a clinic setting, some symptoms should not be ignored.

Seek emergency medical care if you experience:

• Sudden or severe pelvic or abdominal pain
• Pain with fever or chills
• Fainting, dizziness, or weakness
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Severe pain during pregnancy or possible pregnancy
• Persistent vomiting
• Pain with inability to urinate or have a bowel movement
• Severe pain on one side of the pelvis These symptoms may be associated with conditions such as ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, appendicitis, severe infection, or significant bleeding.

When to schedule an office visit

Non-emergency pelvic pain should still be evaluated if it:

• Happens frequently
• Interferes with daily activities
• Occurs with periods or intercourse
• Is associated with irregular bleeding
• Is worsening over time A thorough evaluation can help identify causes such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic floor dysfunction, infections, or hormonal conditions.