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==Overview==
==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: <ref>Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016</ref> <ref>Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X</ref>
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.  
 
* [[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.
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.
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==Causes==
==Causes==
===Common Causes===
Commonly proposed etiologies include: <ref>Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016</ref> <ref>Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X</ref>
* [[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)
===Causes by Organ System===
===Causes by Organ System===
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Revision as of 15:04, 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.

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.

Causes

Common Causes

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)

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular Pelvic vein thrombosis
Chemical / poisoning No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic Anal fissure, Appendicitis, Colitis, Colonic polyps, Constipation, Diarrhea, Diverticulitis, Gastrointestinal cancers, Hemorrhoids, Internal hernia, Irritable bowel syndrome, Proctitis, Reproductive tract cancers, Strangulated hernia, Ulcerative colitis
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic Porphyria
Iatrogenic Ovarian remnant
Infectious Disease UTI
Musculoskeletal / Ortho Coccydynia, Low back pain, Muscle spasm, Pelvic girdle malrotation, Tension in the pelvic floor muscles
Neurologic Nerve entrapment in pelvis, Peripheral neuropathy in pelvis, Post herpetic neuralgia, Post infectious neurological hypersensitivity, Pudendal nerve neuralgia
Nutritional / Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic Adenomyosis, Adhesions in the pelvic area, Cervical polyps, Chronic vulvovaginitis, Dysmenorrhea, Ectopic pregnancy, Endometrial polyps, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Miscarriage, Mittelschmerz pain, Mullerian abnormalities, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian torsion, Pelvic congestion syndrome, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Pelvic relaxation, Placental abruption, Retroverted uterus, Uterine leiomyoma, Vulvodynia
Oncologic Colon cancer, Neuromas, Pelvic tumor, Testicular tumors
Opthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose / Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric Chronic stress, Depression
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal / Electrolyte Loin pain hematuria syndrome
Rheum / Immune / Allergy Fibromyalgia
Sexual Clitorodynia, Epididymo-orchitis, Sexual abuse
Trauma Physical abuse
Urologic Chronic bacterial prostatitis, Chronic bladder irritation, Chronic non bacterial prostatitis, Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, Chronic urethritis, Epididymal cysts, Hydrocele, Interstitial cystitis, Urinary tract calculi, Varicocele
Dental No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order


References

  1. ↑ Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:77 ISBN 1591032016
  2. ↑ Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:68 ISBN 140510368X

Additional Resources

Related Chapters

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