Pelvic Pain After Exercising

If you experience occasional pelvic pain after exercising, it's likely not a major cause for concern, as it's not unusual to have pain in your pelvis or abdomen after you work out, especially if you exercise hard. However, if you experience frequent pelvic pain after exercising, or your pain seems to be getting worse, see your physician for a diagnosis and to rule out any potentially serious causes.

Side Stitch or Cramp

Most runners and other athletes who exercise vigorously have experienced a side stitch at some point. The pain from a side stitch can present mainly in your side, or it can radiate through your stomach and pelvis. Although side stitches can feel extremely painful, they're not serious. If you think your pelvic pain after exercising stems from a side stitch or muscle cramp, massage the affected area hard with your hand until the cramping subsides.

Gastrointestinal Pain

Many people who exercise, particularly runners and triathletes, experience some form of gastrointestinal issues during or after a long run or other workout session, according to Rice University. Flatulence, belching, nausea and even vomiting can appear together with pelvic pain or cramps. In many cases, you can blame dehydration for your problems; although it's not clear why dehydration sparks pelvic pain after exercising along with other gastrointestinal issues, staying hydrated seems to solve the problem. Drink a glass of water about 30 minutes before your workout, and take water breaks during a longer exercise session.

Other Causes

It's possible that your pelvic pain after exercising stems from an infected bladder or urinary tract, especially if you're also experiencing blood in your urine, according to "Running Times" magazine. If this is the case, see your physician to get a prescription for antibiotics. In addition, in some cases, menstrual cramps can cause pelvic pain after exercising, as can inflamed joints or a muscle strain. Your physician can help you determine if any of these issues are causing your pain.

Considerations

If your pelvic pain after exercising continues to get worse, or if it's accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as frequent diarrhea and bloating, consider testing for inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, according to "Running Times." Both can cause those symptoms. Definitely see your doctor if your pelvic pain after exercising doesn't resolve in a week or two.