Pelvic Cramps

Reasons For Pelvic Cramps


When most people think of pelvic cramps they automatically think that it is mainly a female problem. But men can also suffer from pelvic pain and although the reasons vary, pelvic cramps in both sexes are a reason for concern. This pain usually indicates a bigger problem and may be a symptom of another illness. Any pain in the pelvic region that lasts over a few days should be checked out by a doctor.


Women can have cramping every month during their menstrual cycle. This is a common occurrence and should not be any cause for alarm.  When the uterine wall starts to shed, the muscles contract to help everything move along. Usually after the initial first two days, the cramping ceases. These pains can seem intense at first, but after a period of time a woman can recognize these pains and take medications that ease the symptoms of the pelvic cramps.


For men pelvic cramps may mean different things. A man might have gotten an injury like a break in the pelvis area or he may have a severe strain like a hernia. But some pelvic cramps can indicate the same type of problem in both men and women.


Appendicitis is a serious medical condition that either a man or woman can get. The appendix becomes inflamed and swollen and it causes extreme severe cramping. Along with the pain, some of the other symptoms are loss of appetite, abdominal swelling and a high fever. If the problem isn’t addressed quickly the appendix can burst and this can be fatal.


Kidney stones can be another illness both men and women may have if they are experiencing painful pelvic cramps. Small stones form in the kidney and if they remain in that location they will not cause any discomfort. But if they travel through the urinary track and bladder, depending on their size they can cause severe pain. People who have felt this pain say that it is the worst pain they have ever felt and although this is a very bad medical situation there is little to nothing doctors can do. The sufferer has to wait until the stone passes through their system.


Sexually transmitted diseases can cause pelvic pain in both men and women. The symptoms include fever, nausea, discharge and pain in the abdominal area. Since there are more than a few of these types of diseases a test would have to be performed to pin point the exact disease. But because some of these diseases can be ultimately fatal or incurable, this type of pain and symptoms should also be checked out immediately.


Since the female reproductive system is in the pelvic region their pain can indicate a problem with this area. One of the most common symptoms for endometriosis is pelvic pain. This disease is caused from scar tissue that forms on any part of the reproductive system.  It is a condition that affects many women but the cause for the illness itself has never been determined.


An ectopic pregnancy can also cause severe pelvic cramps. During pregnancy the fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tubes and doesn’t make it to the uterus for a number of reasons. This causes the egg to start to grow in the fallopian tube. If left alone this can be fatal to the mother because the fallopian tube will eventually rupture. Emergency surgery has to be done to correct the problem and save the woman’s life. But there is nothing that can be done to save the infant.


If anyone has pelvic cramps for a long period of time, it should be checked out and discussed with a doctor.