Possible causes of right hip pain include muscle injury, osteoarthritis, and pelvic floor conditions. In females, it can also occur during pregnancy. Treatment may involve pain relief, stretching, and exercise.

Pain in the right hip can occur due to a variety of causes and may go away on its own. People can speak with a doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

This article lists seven causes of hip pain in females, potential treatment options, and when to seek help.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

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A number of conditions can cause pain in the right hip.

Psoas syndrome is an injury to the iliopsoas muscle, which is a hip flexor.

Psoas syndrome commonly affects athletes, particularly runners, high jumpers, and dancers. People may refer to it as jumper’s hip or dancer’s hip.

Female athletes may have a higher chance than male athletes of developing psoas syndrome. People with hip osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis are also at higher risk.

The pain typically occurs in the buttocks, pelvis, and groin. People may also report the feeling of slipping or catching in their groin when they flex their knees to 90 degrees.

A person may experience pain when they change position from sitting to standing, and have difficulty standing straight.

Treatment

Treatment typically includes physical therapy. The aim is to strengthen and stretch the spine and hip joints.

A doctor may sometimes prescribe corticosteroid injections or surgery or recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief.

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that happens because of wear and tear on a joint, so it usually affects people ages 50 years and older. Over time, the cartilage in the hip joint wears away. As a result, there is less cushioning between the bones.

When bone rubs against bone, this can cause pain that worsens over time. The pain may appear in the thigh, groin, or hips and radiate to other areas. It may come and go but worsen with activity.

The hip may also click and be less flexible than usual.

Treatment

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but physical therapy, pain medication, and steroid injections may help.

People may also benefit from making lifestyle changes to help them reach or maintain a moderate weight, such as adopting a healthful diet and exercising regularly.

When the pain is severe or does not respond to other treatments, a person may need surgery, such as a hip replacement.

Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur when the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and reproductive organs, become weak.

When this happens, a person might also have other symptoms, including:

Causes can include childbirth, surgery, and aging.

Treatment

Pelvic floor physical therapy can help some people, but others may benefit from also taking medication. A person may also use a pessary, a device that helps support the muscles.

In some cases, surgery may be the best treatment option.

Bursae are small sacs located throughout the body. They help cushion the space between bones and soft tissue, including in the hip joint.

When they become inflamed, they can cause intense joint pain. Doctors call this bursitis.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), factors that can increase the likelihood of bursitis developing in the hip include:

  • repetitive stress injury
  • hip injury
  • spine conditions, such as scoliosis
  • legs that are different lengths
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • bone spurs
  • previous surgery on or around the hip

If the pain is sharp and intense but gets duller over days or weeks, bursitis might be responsible. A person might also have bursitis if the pain is at the point of the hip, gets worse at night, and spreads down the thigh.

Treatment

Various treatments, including pain medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy, may help with bursitis.

If the bursa is still inflamed after a person has tried nonsurgical treatment options, they may need surgery to remove the bursa.

Hip pain can occur during pregnancy. In a 2018 study looking at musculoskeletal problems in pregnancy, 32.1% of the 184 participants reported experiencing hip pain when pregnant.

Pelvic girdle pain

A 2021 cross-sectional study found that 44% of 780 pregnant women from Australia experienced pelvic girdle pain, or symphysis pubic dysfunction (SPD).

This may occur due to stiff pelvic joints or joints moving unevenly. People may experience a sharp, stabbing pain in the pelvis, groin, vagina, rectum, or hips.

Other symptoms of pelvic girdle pain include:

  • shooting pains
  • fatigue
  • pain during sex
  • pain during daily activities

The pain may worsen when changing position, climbing stairs, or rising from sitting.

Pelvic girdle pain is not a disease or a sign that something is wrong with the pregnancy, and it does not require people to change their birth plan.

Treatment

This pain usually goes away after birth.

During pregnancy, changing position slowly, supporting the pelvis when walking, physical therapy, and pain medication may help.

Women can also use pregnancy support belts, KT tape, or pelvic blocks to help ease the pain.

Endometriosis can affect females at any age. This condition causes tissue to grow outside of the uterus. Among other symptoms, it can cause severe pain in and around the pelvis.

Some people may also experience pain that radiates to the hips.

Treatment

Treatment for endometriosis may involve:

Pain in one hip may occur due to a fracture, particularly if it happens after a fall or injury. People with a hip fracture may also experience pain in the groin and thigh.

Fractures are more common in older adults.

Treatment

Hip fractures typically require surgery, although it is not always necessary. The exact treatment and surgery will depend on the type of fracture and the specific area it affects.

Several home remedies may help with hip pain, including the following practices:

  • changing sleeping positions
  • getting more exercise
  • avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing
  • stretching the hips and legs each day
  • taking a warm bath or applying heat or ice packs
  • using OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Pregnant people experiencing pain should talk with a doctor or midwife at their next medical appointment.

For other people with hip pain, it is important to see a doctor if:

  • the pain does not improve
  • the pain gets worse
  • using the treatment that a doctor recommends makes the pain worse or causes side effects
  • the pain is unbearable

Hip pain can be very unpleasant, and it may make everyday activities feel impossible. Potential causes include osteoarthritis, psoas syndrome, and pelvic girdle pain.

If a person is pregnant, or if the pain persists, worsens, or does not improve with home treatment, the person should speak with a healthcare professional.

A doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of a person’s right hip pain and prescribe appropriate treatment to relieve symptoms.