--- title: "Pelvic pain: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Pelvic pain is pain in the lower tummy with many causes, from period pain and UTIs to endometriosis; sudden severe pain with fever needs emergency care." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/pelvic-pain/ robots: noindex --- # Pelvic pain: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Pelvic pain is pain in the lower tummy with many causes, from period pain and UTIs to endometriosis; sudden severe pain with fever needs emergency care. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could pelvic pain mean? Pelvic pain is pain felt in the lower part of the tummy, and it has many possible causes in both women and men. See a GP if pelvic pain keeps coming back. Sudden severe pain with fever, fainting or any possibility of pregnancy needs emergency care — call 999 or go to A&E. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Pelvic pain, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of pelvic pain - Endometriosis causes pelvic pain that follows a cyclical pattern with periods. - Urinary tract infections are a common cause of pelvic pain. - An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that needs immediate care. - Appendicitis pain typically moves to the lower right side of the tummy. - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause cramping pelvic pain. ## Understanding pelvic pain Pelvic pain is pain felt in the lower part of the tummy, and it affects both women and men. The pattern of the pain, together with causes specific to each sex, guides how doctors assess it. Sudden severe pelvic pain is treated as an emergency until a serious cause has been ruled out. ## Common causes of pelvic pain Common causes include **endometriosis**, **pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)**, **irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)** and **appendicitis**. In women of childbearing age, an **ectopic pregnancy** must always be considered, because it is a medical emergency. ## Self-care for pelvic pain Mild period pain can often be eased with heat and simple pain relief, if these are suitable for you. Keeping track of your menstrual cycle helps you and your GP spot any pattern to the pain. ## When to see a GP about pelvic pain See a GP if pelvic pain is persistent or getting worse. Sudden severe pelvic pain is an emergency — call 999 or go to A&E, especially if you also have a high fever, feel faint or could be pregnant. ## ! When to get medical help for pelvic pain See a GP if pelvic pain is recurrent or keeps coming back. Call **999** or go to A&E for sudden severe pelvic pain or if you faint. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about pelvic pain What causes pelvic pain in women? Common causes of pelvic pain in women include period pain, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts and urinary tract infections. Pregnancy must always be considered in women of childbearing age. What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It typically causes cyclical pelvic pain and heavy periods. What causes pelvic pain in men? In men, pelvic pain can be caused by prostatitis, hernias and bladder conditions. See a GP if the pain is persistent or keeps coming back. What are the emergency warning signs with pelvic pain? Sudden severe pelvic pain, shoulder tip pain during pregnancy and a high fever are all emergency warning signs. Call 999 or go to A&E if any of these occur. ## Sources - [NHS — Pelvic Pain](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-pain) - [NHS — Endometriosis](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis)