Pelvic pain (in women)

This is pain that is localised to the pelvis. It is a common problem in gynaecological clinics.

• chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common problem with a prevalence of about 38/1000 among women aged 20-50 years
  • the most common gynaecological diagnoses include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and adhesions
• the most common gastrointestinal diagnosis is irritable bowel syndrome and genitourinary diagnosis includes pathology such as interstitial cystitis

If a woman presents with pelvic pain then a comprehensive assessment of the pain must be made in order to direct appropriate management and referral if required.

A laparoscopy may reveal evidence of a gynaecological cause of pelvic pain e.g. endometriosis, adenomyosis, chronic pelvic infection, pelvic congestion, adhesions.

Reference:

1. Cheong Y, Stones W. Investigations for chronic pelvic pain. Revs in Gynaecol Pract 2005; 5 (4): 227-236.