Pelvic pain and bladder and bowel changes

Pelvic pain is a common issue that can affect bladder and bowel control.

Symptoms of pelvic pain

Pelvic pain may feel like aching, pressure or discomfort in the lower tummy or pelvic area and is often linked to symptoms such as:

• leaking urine (wee)
• constipation
• trouble emptying your bladder (wee) or bowel (poo)
• painful sex
• finding it hard to use tampons.

Support is available to help identify causes and manage symptoms.

Causes of pelvic pain

There are many causes of pelvic pain, but one common cause is tight pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the bladder and bowel.

If they’re too tight or don’t relax properly, they can lead to:

• a strong need to go to the toilet
• trouble emptying your bladder (wee) or bowel (poo)
• leaking urine (wee) or faeces (poo)
• pain during sex or when using tampons.

Other causes may include:

• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• painful bladder syndrome
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• endometriosis
• chronic pelvic pain syndrome
• vaginismus (when the pelvic muscles tighten involuntarily, making sex or tampon use painful).

Sometimes, pelvic pain continues even after the original issue is resolved. This can happen when the nervous system becomes over-sensitive and keeps sending pain signals.

What can help to reduce pelvic pain

Support is available for anyone experiencing ongoing pelvic pain. For the right advice on what may be helpful for your pelvic pain it’s important to see your nurse continence specialist, pelvic health physiotherapist or GP (doctor) for an assessment about the cause of the pain.

There are many supports available, and the cause of your pain will guide which ones may be useful to you. Helpful strategies may include:

• pelvic floor physiotherapy to help relax tight muscles
• pain education to understand how your body processes pain
• gentle movement and breathing exercises such as yoga or meditation
• bladder and bowel training to improve control.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also consider seeing a psychologist or sextherapist if stress or past trauma is involved.

Understanding your pain and learning how to manage it can help you feel more in control and improve your quality of life.

If you have questions or want to talk to a nurse continence specialist, call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for free and confidential information, advice and support. They also provide a wide range of continence-related resources and referrals to local services. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm AEDT/AEST.

This content has been reviewed by sub­ject mat­ter experts in line with Continence Health Australia’s established process. Read about our clinical content review protocol.