Abdominal Cramping - Pelvic Pain in Females

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention of pelvic pain may or may not be possible, depending on the cause. Some ways to decrease the risk of pelvic pain include:

  • practicing safer sex to decrease the risk of sexually transmitted disease and secondary PID
  • seeking early treatment for infections of the genital tract, such as PID
  • oral contraceptives, which may reduce the risk of pelvic pain associated with painful ovulation
  • drinking plenty of fluids every day and avoiding dehydration to prevent kidney stones

    • Many of the causes of pelvic pain cannot be prevented.

    What are the long-term effects of the condition?

    Long-term effects are related to the cause of the pelvic pain. For example, irritable bowel syndrome may make a person uncomfortable and even depressed, but poses no serious long-term health risks. A small kidney stone may pass by itself and have no long-term effects. A large kidney stone may require surgery to remove. Cancer may lead to death if treatment is unsuccessful. A woman with an ectopic pregnancy may need surgery, and in some cases, may have to have the fallopian tube removed.

    What are the risks to others?

    Pelvic pain itself is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, if the pain is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, that infection is contagious.