Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection above the level of the vagina (affecting the womb, ovaries and tubes).

Many different types of bacteria can cause PID. In many cases it’s caused by a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea, but it can also be caused by bacteria which normally live in the vagina.

Endometriosis is where the tissue that lines the inside of the womb grows outside of the womb. This problem can be particularly tricky to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other conditions like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and even bowel problems. Head over to our blog page to read more.

Fibroids are benign growths of the womb. They can make your periods heavier and more painful

Pain may even be caused by problems not related to female bits such as hip/joint problems, bowel problems such as irritable bowel, or even a trapped nerve!

Infections include sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Candida, or viral infections such as herpes and warts.

Skin changes related to the menopause, such as your vaginal walls becoming dry.

Chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, lichen sclerosis Irritation or allergy e.g. from condoms, soaps, lubricants/gels.

Trauma e.g. from scratching, rubbing, foreign body.

Vaginismus is when the muscles of the vagina tighten up when penetration is attempted.

Cancerous or pre-cancerous skin changes.

This describes pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis that starts suddenly and unexpectedly. Acute pain can also originate from structures close to the female organs such as the bowel and the bladder, and should be checked out immediately by a health professional. Whatever the cause may be, we advise you to consult a health professional if you experience any pain during sex.

Miscarriage: Pain is caused by the strong contractions of the muscles of the uterus.

Contraception: Complications of a coil insertion.

Infection: E.g. pelvic inflammatory disease is the infection above the level of the vagina (affecting the womb, ovaries and tubes). Many different types of bacteria can cause PID. In many cases it is caused by a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea but it can also be caused by bacteria which normally live in the vagina.

Ectopic pregnancy: This is when an egg that has been fertilised, embeds itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

Twisting (or ‘torsion’) of the fallopian tube.

Twisting (or ‘torsion’) of an ovarian cyst.

Rupture of an ovarian cyst.

This is where the tissue that lines the inside of the womb grows outside of the womb. Pain is usually related to your cycle, starting a few days before your period, and can last throughout the period.

This problem can be particularly tricky to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other conditions like PID and even bowel problems. For some women, symptoms are mild but for others it can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Find out more about endometriosis in our Blog page.

These are ‘strands’ or ‘bands’ of scar tissue within the abdomen which typically form after surgery. Adhesions stretch from one surface to another and so can cause tissues and organs to stick together.

Pain may even be caused by problems that are not related to female parts such as hip/joint problems, bowel problems such as irritable bowel, and bladder problems.

When you feel pain, it’s usually to alert you to a physical problem. However, pain can also alert you to an emotional or psychological problem. Pain caused by an emotional or psychological problem is caused ‘psychogenic pain’. A diagnosis of psychogenic pain can only be made when all other physical causes have been ruled out.