Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for pelvic pain. Many things can cause pelvic pain. Some are serious things like an ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Less serious things, like having your period, an ovarian cyst, or a bladder infection, can also cause pelvic pain.
The doctors think your pelvic pain is likely not caused by something serious.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Keep track of your pain. Write down what you eat to see if any foods might be causing your pain. Also, write down what you were doing before and during the pain, what things make your pain worse, and what helps ease the pain. This can help your doctor figure out what is causing your pain.
●Try to stay active, as long as exercise does not make your pain worse.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You have sudden severe belly pain.
•You have trouble breathing or chest pain along with belly pain.
•You vomit blood.
•Your belly becomes very hard or swollen.
●Return to the ED if:
•You have signs of severe fluid loss, such as:
-Not urinating for longer than 8 hours
-Feeling very lightheaded or like you are going to pass out
-Feeling weak like you are going to fall
•You have nausea or vomiting, and cannot keep foods or liquids down.
•You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher or chills, along with pelvic pain.
•Your pain continues, and you have heavy or bad-smelling vaginal discharge.
•Your pain gets worse, comes more often, or moves to 1 area of your belly.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your pain is not getting better in 1 or 2 days.
●You have pain when urinating or blood in your urine.
●Your bowel movements are black or tar colored, or have a small amount (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) of blood in them.
●You develop early signs of fluid loss, such as:
•Dark urine
•Dry mouth
•Muscle cramps
•Lack of energy
•Feeling lightheaded when you get up
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Chronic pelvic pain in females (The Basics)
Patient education: Painful periods (The Basics)
Patient education: Ovarian cysts (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic pelvic pain in females (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Ovarian cysts (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (Beyond the Basics)
