Pregnancy, Childbirth & Fertility
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Pelvic Girdle Pain)
Pain at the front of the pelvis where the pubic bones meet, common in pregnancy when joint-softening hormones loosen the pelvic joint.
📝 Summary
In short: Pain at the front of the pelvis where the pubic bones meet, common in pregnancy when joint-softening hormones loosen the pelvic joint.
Common causes: Pregnancy hormones (relaxin) loosening the pelvic joints; Uneven movement of the pubic symphysis joint; Added weight and shifting posture of pregnancy.
First thing to try: Keep your knees together when getting in and out of bed or a car.
See a doctor if: Pain makes walking or daily tasks very difficult
🌿 Overview
During pregnancy the hormone relaxin softens the ligaments of the pelvis to make room for birth. Sometimes the joint at the front, where the two pubic bones meet, becomes too loose or moves unevenly, causing pain over the pubic bone that can spread to the groin, inner thighs, hips, or lower back. Everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed, or standing on one leg to dress can hurt.
The pain is often described as grinding or clicking at the front of the pelvis and tends to worsen with activities that separate the legs. It ranges from mild to disabling. While distressing, it is not harmful to the baby and usually improves after birth once hormone levels return to normal. A physiotherapist who works with pregnancy can make a real difference.
Common signs
- Pain over the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis
- Pain spreading to the groin, inner thighs, hips, or lower back
- A clicking or grinding feeling in the pelvis
- Worse when walking, climbing stairs, or parting the legs
- Difficulty turning in bed or standing on one leg
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Pregnancy hormones (relaxin) loosening the pelvic joints
- Uneven movement of the pubic symphysis joint
- Added weight and shifting posture of pregnancy
- Previous pelvic injury or a history of this pain in an earlier pregnancy
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- Keep your knees together when getting in and out of bed or a car.
- Sit down to dress, putting both legs in rather than standing on one foot.
- Take smaller steps and avoid wide leg movements.
- Rest often and avoid heavy lifting or pushing.
- Use a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side.
- Ask for a referral to a women's-health physiotherapist for exercises and a support belt.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
Vote ▲ on everything that helped you, and ▼ on anything you tried that didn't — the ranking updates live. Tap 💬 to share what worked, so others can find it faster.
Rest with a pillow between your knees and avoid standing on one leg; keeping the pelvis aligned eases the joint.97431
A warm compress over the pubic area relaxes the surrounding muscles and soothes the ache.88254
A warm Epsom-salt bath can relax tight pelvic and hip muscles for comfort (keep the water warm, not hot).78170
Crowd feedback, not medical advice — in this preview your vote is saved on your device. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit).
📊 Compare these remedies side by side
Our editor score weighs sources, safety, simplicity, cost, and lifestyle fit. Source endorsements tally how many books and studies reference each remedy. A higher number isn't a promise — it's just a starting point.
| Remedy | Type | Editor score | Source endorsements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest & Sleep | Practice | 97 | 431 |
| Warm & Cold Compress | Therapy | 88 | 254 |
| Epsom Salt Soak | Therapy | 78 | 170 |
| Gentle Stretching | Exercise | 93 | 122 |
| Massage | Therapy | 83 | 46 |
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Ensure adequate calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D for bone and muscle health, and keep weight gain within the range your provider recommends to reduce strain on the pelvis.
⚖️ Good to know
- Severe pain that prevents walking deserves prompt physiotherapy and medical attention.
- Avoid activities that part the legs widely, which can worsen the joint.
- Numbness, weakness in the legs, or bladder changes need urgent evaluation.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Pain makes walking or daily tasks very difficult
- You have leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder control
- The pain is not improving with self-care
- You want a referral for physiotherapy or a pelvic support belt
📚 Learn more
Trusted, independent sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
💚 Was this page helpful?
A quick tap helps us improve these guides. Saved on your device in this preview.