Chronic pelvic pain: Difference between revisions
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== | ==Related Chapters== | ||
* Abdominal [[Adhesion (medicine)|adhesions]] | * Abdominal [[Adhesion (medicine)|adhesions]] | ||
* [[Coccydynia| Coccydynia (coccyx pain, tailbone pain)]] | * [[Coccydynia| Coccydynia (coccyx pain, tailbone pain)]] | ||
== External | == External Links == | ||
* [http://www.pelvicpain.org International Pelvic Pain Society] | * [http://www.pelvicpain.org International Pelvic Pain Society] | ||
* [http://www.pelvicfloordigest.org/2006/pelvic_pain.html Pelvic Floor Digest: Free Selected medical abstracts on pelvic pain. Updated] | * [http://www.pelvicfloordigest.org/2006/pelvic_pain.html Pelvic Floor Digest: Free Selected medical abstracts on pelvic pain. Updated] | ||
* [http://www.ampainsoc.org American Pain Society] | * [http://www.ampainsoc.org American Pain Society] | ||
* [http://www.endocenter.org Endometriosis Research Center] | * [http://www.endocenter.org Endometriosis Research Center] | ||
* [http://www.endometriosis.org endometriosis.org] | * [http://www.endometriosis.org endometriosis.org] | ||
* [http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html Endometriosis Association] | * [http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html Endometriosis Association] | ||
*[http://www.pelviperineology.org/ Pelviperineology] The multidisciplinary open access pelvic floor journal | *[http://www.pelviperineology.org/ Pelviperineology] The multidisciplinary open access pelvic floor journal | ||
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Revision as of 14:49, 29 March 2013
Template:Search infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Most women (and some men), at some time in their lives, experience pelvic pain. When the condition persists for longer than 3 months, it is called chronic pelvic pain (CPP). This is a poorly-understood condition that likely represents abnormal neurological function, either in the peripheral nervous system or central nervous system. Many different etiologies have been proposed for CPP, but a major problem is that virtually none of them have been validated. Commonly proposed etiologies include: [1] [2]
- endometriosis (very controversial)
- infection or post-infectious neurological hypersensitivity
- exaggerated bladder, bowel, or uterine pain sensitivity (also known as visceral pain)
- ovarian cysts, uterine leiomyoma - often found in asymptomatic patients as well, however
- less common emergencies: ovarian torsion - sudden loss of circulation to the ovary, appendicitis - infection of one part of the intestine, with right lower abdominal pain, ectopic pregnancy - where an early pregnancy grows outside of the uterus, and can cause sudden, heavy intra-abdominal bleeding
- pelvic girdle pain (SPD or DSP)
Women with symptoms of pain may want to see a gynecologist if problems don't go away after a few days, and workup should begin with a careful history and examination, followed by a pregnancy test. Some women may also need bloodwork or additional imaging studies, and a handful may also benefit from having surgical evaluation using small telescopes (laparoscopy). Many women will also benefit from a consultation with a physical therapist, a trial of anti-inflammatory medications, hormonal therapy, or even neurological agents.
This is a condition that although common, direly needs to be studied more closely.
Chronic Pelvic Pain in Female Adolescents
As girls enter gynecologic maturity, pelvic or abdominal pain becomes a frequent complaint.
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) accounts for 10% of all visits to gynecologists. In addition, CPP is the reason for 20 - 30% of all laparoscopies in adults.