Is this Pelvic Pain

[SandraCT]

I've been getting some bad cramps lately. They are in the vaginal area and feel just like a bad menstraul cramp. It happens usually right after my period. My period ended the other day but why am I having cramps now? My IC has gotten so much worse. Do you think this is pelvic pain? Can you describe to me what your pelvic pain feels like? Thanks!!

[ICNDonna]

I have always described my IC pain as being similar to menstrual cramps, but much worse.

Donna

[BT2008]

Sandra,

Even though "pelvic pain" can come from several sources and from within several different areas of the pelvis, if your pain feels like menstrual cramps, then that definitely qualifies as "pelvic pain."

Like Donna, when I was first hit with IC pain it was very much like having a really, really bad period. Even though I had not had a period in over 20 years, I still remembered the pain well!

Since the disease has progressed, however, the highest level of pain surpasses that and reaches more into the 9-10cm of natural childbirth pain. But, I would say that my most common level of pain -- what I call moderate -- is still like the worst period I could ever have imagined when I was a young woman.

~Beth