Many things can cause your child or young person to have pelvic pain. There are different types of pelvic pain and associated conditions, including:

• Vaginal or vulval pain
• Period pain
• Pain related to variations in the shape of a young person’s uterus or vagina.

Vulval or vaginal pain

Vulval or vaginal pain and discomfort can occur in young children as well as teenagers.

Young children might describe vulval or vaginal pain as a tingling or funny sensation, rather than a painful one.

• It may be associated with a skin problem – particularly if a child is also constipated.
• If it occurs mostly at night, it could also be a sign of worms that have moved to other parts of the body.

Teenagers may first notice vulval pain when they try to use a tampon. Sometimes, this is because the opening to their vagina – the hymen – is a bit different. It can also be related to supersensitive nerves in the vulval and vaginal areas.

Variations in the shape of the uterus and vagina

The uterus and vagina, like other parts of the body, come in different shapes. Some people have a heart-shaped uterus. Others might have a uterus or vagina shape that stops blood from coming out easily – this happens more often in people born with a missing kidney or other renal tract variations.

Sometimes, these different organ shapes can make periods more painful.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. It may occur on:

• The ovaries
• The fallopian tubes
• The pelvic lining
• Other parts of the body.

There are no specific pain symptoms that suggest a diagnosis of endometriosis. Some people with endometriosis have period and pelvic pain, but others don’t have any pain at all.

Management of period and pelvic pain is the same whether there is endometriosis present or not.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition where some of the uterus lining (endometrium) grows between the muscle layers of the uterus.

It’s very uncommon in young people and sometimes misdiagnosed in people who have bigger or thicker uterus walls.

Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, advice from your doctor or healthcare professionals. It is general information only and may not apply to your individual circumstances. You should always check with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your care or starting, stopping or changing any treatment.

The authors of this consumer health information have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up-to-date and easy to understand. The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Medical knowledge can change over time and the information contained in the handouts is updated regularly. Therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network multidisciplinary team, supported by RCH services.

The Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network is supported by the Victorian Government.