What could be causing my pelvic pain?

[JTMN]

I am female, aged 34 and have been experiencing pelvic pain for the last 6 months which is causing a lot of health anxiety.

It began with pelvic and lower abdominal pain and a bit of kidney pain on the right hand side. The pelvic pain was similar to period pains and sometimes a really intense burning pain.

Since then the pain seems to be mostly concentrated in my groin area, labia and now a little bit at the bottom of my rib (front and back). The groin pain seems to also sometimes move into my upper inner thigh and buttock. (All on the right hand side). I thought it could be kidney stones based on these symptoms but a recent CT scan has ruled this out.

I’m not experiencing the pain all the time - on days where I do feel it, it can come and go but sometimes can linger for a long time. There are also some days or even a whole week at a time where I feel normal and no pain at all.

I also don’t feel as though the pain is as bad as it was, so I don’t know if it is gradually going away (or if this is even something that could happen) or if I’m just used to it being there so don’t think it is as bad.

Brief history of tests etc. so far:

August 2024: Confirmed UTI, received antibiotics

September 2024: still experiencing pain, received another course of antibiotics

September 2024: Urine test clear – referred for trans-vaginal and kidney ultrasound

October 2024: Ultrasound came back clear

November 2024: urine test clear, referred to urology

December 2024: urine test clear, referred for CT scan to check for kidney stones

January 2025: CT scan clear

While it is really positive nothing was identified in my two scans, I can’t help but worry about the pain being caused by something more sinister that hasn’t been picked up on the scans as I don’t know what else it could be.

Has anyone had similar symptoms?

Apologies for the long post, thanks for reading!

[sarahalice]

It's worth tracking the pain against your cycle. My pelvic congestion syndrome pain increases with hormonal fluctuations. Good luck with it x

[JTMN in reply to sarahalice]

Thanks for your reply! Can I ask how you were diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome?

[sarahalice in reply to JTMN]

It's take over 3 years. I've got to a point where 2 gynecologist and a vascular surgeon have said its most likely PCS, as they have ruled out other things it could be. Unfortunately they refuse to do anything about it. The vascular doc said that he has not known anyone to benefit from surgery and at times it's made it worse. I said about going private and he said it would be a waste of money. I have lupus and other health conditions, so I don't think a private clinic would help or it would cost even more. I'm 47, so I'm praying that the menopause brings some relief. I've been totally gaslit my entire adult life by doctors. Because of this neglect, I racked up so many diseases.I hope you have better luck.

[JTMN in reply to sarahalice]

I'm sorry it's been such a difficult journey for you. Hope you find some relief soon

[gillianTS]

When you get the symptoms how are you getting relief, what do you do, what do you take, is there anything you do that increases the issue or you have had to stop doing because it appears to create the pain and discomfort?

[JTMN in reply to gillianTS]

Hi, there's not anything I've noticed brings the pain on particularly. I feel like when I'm standing it isn't as bad or goes away but it's hard to identify any sort of pattern.