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What to do if…
you develop pelvic pain with fever and unusual discharge

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Seek same-day urgent clinical advice or assessment. Call 999 or go to A&E now if the pain is severe or worsening, you feel faint or confused, you have heavy bleeding, you are being sick or very unwell, you have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery, or you might be pregnant.

Do not do these things

  • Do not wait overnight to see if pelvic pain, fever and unusual discharge settle on their own.
  • Do not douche, use internal cleansers, or put anything inside your vagina to flush out discharge.
  • Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics.
  • Do not have sex until you have spoken to a clinician; if PID or an STI is suspected, follow their advice about sex and partners.
  • Do not assume pregnancy is impossible because you are bleeding, using contraception, or your period is irregular.
  • Do not drive yourself to urgent care if you feel faint, very weak, confused, or the pain is escalating.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency warning signs.
    Call 999 or go to A&E now if pelvic or lower tummy pain is severe, rapidly worsening, or hurts when you move or touch the area; if you feel faint, dizzy, confused, very unwell, or repeatedly sick; if you have heavy vaginal bleeding; if you have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery; or if you might be pregnant.

  2. Get same-day urgent assessment even if symptoms feel moderate.
    Contact your GP for an urgent same-day appointment, a sexual health clinic if you can be seen quickly, or your local urgent care route. In England, Scotland or Wales, call 111 if you are not sure what to do. In Northern Ireland, use your GP out-of-hours service or local urgent care instructions. Use 999 for emergencies.

  3. Do a pregnancy test if there is any chance you could be pregnant.
    A home test is fine. Tell the clinician the result, but do not delay urgent help if you have warning signs or feel very unwell.

  4. Write down a short symptom snapshot.
    Note when the pain and discharge started, your highest temperature if known, where the pain is, whether it is one-sided, discharge colour or smell, any bleeding, pain during sex or peeing, your last period, contraception including coil or IUD, any new sexual partner or STI concern, and any recent coil fitting, abortion, birth, miscarriage, or pelvic procedure.

  5. Avoid sex while you are waiting to be seen.
    If you have a partner, you can simply say you are being checked for a possible infection and will share any clinician advice about testing or treatment.

  6. Use only simple comfort measures that are safe for you.
    Rest, sip fluids if you can, and use pain relief you normally take safely, following the packet. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs until you have been assessed.

  7. Arrange safe transport.
    Ask someone to take you if you feel weak, faint, feverish, or in worsening pain. If symptoms become severe, call 999.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the exact cause before asking for help.
  • You do not need to contact past partners before you have been assessed.
  • You do not need to clean out discharge or collect samples at home.
  • You do not need to decide now what treatment, tests, or follow-up might be needed.

Important reassurance

Pelvic pain, fever and unusual discharge can happen for several reasons, including infections that clinicians see regularly. Getting checked promptly is a practical step to protect your health and get clearer answers.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps for the next few hours to help you get safely assessed. Tests, treatment, partner notification, pregnancy-related decisions, and follow-up may need help from a clinician or specialist service.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis, and not medical or professional advice. If you feel seriously unwell, symptoms are severe or worsening, or you may be pregnant, seek urgent or emergency care.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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