Any pain below the level of the naval (umbilicus) in the abdominal cavity and above the legs may be referred to as pelvic pain.

Many women will have one or more episodes of acute pelvic pain at sometime during their life.  The ovaries of women who are not on hormonal contraception undergo cystic change and egg ovulation each month. This process is not perfect and in many instances can be associated with pain even though it is a physiologic rather than a disease process.

What is Chronic Pelvic Pain?

Many women have pain with their menstrual periods. The pain can be a dull or throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen. As the smooth muscle of the uterus contracts each month to expel menstrual tissue and blood, most women feel this increase in amplitude of intrauterine pressure as pain. The degree to which that pain is tolerated varies widely.

Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary:

• Primary dysmenorrhea involves no physical abnormality and usually begins within 3 years after you begin menstruating.  As you get older, they are likely to decrease in intensity or go away entirely.
  
• Secondary dysmenorrhea involves an underlying physical cause, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.  These cramps can begin anytime after you begin menstruating.

Signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea, whether primary or secondary, may include:

• Dull or throbbing pain in your lower abdomen
• Pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs

Less common signs and symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loose stools
• Sweating
• Dizziness

Information for this page was obtained from MedlinePlus.com and MayocClinic.com.