What Is Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain refers to any pain felt between the hip bones — at the base of the abdomen, in the groin, or deep within the pelvis. It may be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, and can radiate to the lower back, thighs, or genitals.
- Acute pelvic pain (lasting under six weeks) often signals an infection, injury, or gynaecological event that needs prompt medical attention.
- Chronic pelvic pain (lasting more than three months) is more complex. It may involve functional pain syndromes, nerve sensitisation, or structural conditions that don’t always appear on standard imaging. This type of pain is often under-treated — partly because symptoms can be difficult to reproduce, and partly because many patients feel uncomfortable discussing pelvic symptoms.
What Causes Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain can arise from many different systems. Understanding which is involved is the first step toward effective treatment.
Causes in both men and women:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or kidney stones
- Appendicitis
- Pelvic bone injury or fracture
- Intestinal disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or colitis)
- Hernia
- Nerve pain (pudendal neuralgia, pelvic floor myofascial pain)
- Psychogenic pain — linked to stress, anxiety, or trauma
Additional causes in women:
- Menstrual cramps and ovulation pain
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts or fibroids
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer (rare)
Additional causes in men:
- Prostatitis (chronic prostate inflammation)
- Pudendal nerve entrapment
- Post-surgical pelvic pain
Because these causes overlap significantly in how they present, an accurate diagnosis is essential before any treatment is started.
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Pain?
Pelvic pain can present in many ways. Common symptoms include:
Important: If your pelvic pain has persisted for more than a few weeks, or is disrupting daily activities, sleep, or work, it’s worth having it properly evaluated by a specialist.
How Is Pelvic Pain Diagnosed?
Because pelvic pain shares symptoms with many urinary tract and reproductive conditions, it requires adequate clinical evidence and experience to diagnose accurately.
At Singapore Paincare, our team — which includes experienced primary care doctors, pain care specialists, and a gynaecologist — evaluates your condition through:
- A physical examination
- A detailed review of your symptoms and medical history
- Diagnostic tests such as blood tests, urine tests, stool samples, genital swabs, ultrasound, or X-rays, as needed
For chronic pelvic pain, imaging such as MRI or CT scan may be required to narrow down the cause.
Using the proprietary Painostic® methodology developed by Dr. Bernard Lee Mun Kam, our specialists assess pain patterns, pathology, pain perception, and psychological contributors — a multi-dimensional approach that helps identify root causes that standard tests may miss, particularly in functional pain syndromes.
What Are the Pelvic Pain Treatment Options in Singapore?
The right treatment depends on what is causing your pain. At Singapore Paincare, we always aim for the least invasive option that can provide lasting relief.
Conservative Treatment
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapist and doctors may offer manual physical therapy for pelvic floor tenderness. Sessions may also include bladder retraining to address contracture, tender muscles, or scars.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Our specialists offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which helps treat chronic pelvic pain through relaxation techniques and strategies to reduce the pain’s impact on daily life.
Pharmacotherapy
Beyond NSAIDs, our physicians and specialists may prescribe muscle relaxants and low-dose antidepressants to help manage pelvic pain, depending on the underlying pain mechanism.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is considered only when all conservative and minimally invasive options have been exhausted for at least six months, and only if you are a suitable candidate. As surgery carries associated risks, complications, and recovery time, a thorough evaluation of both non-surgical and surgical options is conducted beforehand.
For endometriosis, laparoscopic surgery may be appropriate. In other cases of severe, refractory pelvic pain, hysterectomy may be discussed as a last resort.
How Can I Prevent Pelvic Pain?
There is no definitive way to prevent pelvic pain. However, the following measures may help reduce your risk:
- Adding more fibre-rich foods to your diet
- Regular stretching and exercise
- Routine examinations with your healthcare provider
A Message About Pelvic Pain From Our Pain Specialist
Pelvic pain is one of the most under-treated forms of chronic pain — not because treatment doesn’t exist, but because it is often under-investigated. Symptoms can be difficult to reproduce during examination, and many patients feel uncomfortable raising pelvic concerns with a doctor.
At Singapore Paincare, we treat pelvic pain with the same rigour and precision we apply to any chronic pain condition. Using the Painostic® approach, we look beyond the obvious to identify all contributing pain generators — and build a treatment plan that targets the root cause, not just the symptoms.
If you have been living with unexplained pelvic pain, we encourage you to seek a specialist consultation. Effective, minimally invasive options are available — and you do not need to manage this alone.
