Pelvic Pain...
Pelvic Pain
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition in women of reproductive age affecting up to 1 in 4 women. This is an intermittent or constant pain in the pelvis or the lower abdomen of at least 6 months duration.
Findings in women with CPP
- Adhesions- may be caused by previous surgery, endometriosis or previous pelvic infection (chlamydeous pelvic inflammatory disease)
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Interstitial cystitis
- Musculoskeletal /nerve entrapment
- 'No pathology'
A multidisciplinary approach to CPP has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and in improving work and social functioning. The team will include a gynaecologist, clinical psychologist, pain physician and specialist nurse.
Investigations
Laparoscopy - Able to diagnose adhesions, PID and endometriosis. Irritable bowel syndrome and adenomyosis (endometriosis in the muscle wall of the uterus) will not be detected.
Ultrasound - to exclude ovarian cysts or an endometrioma
Treatment
This is based on the history, examination and Laparoscopic findings
