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Introduction to pelvic pain

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Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is common, affecting approximately one in six of the adult female population, and can have devastating social and economic consequences. Pain that is very severe, even if infrequent, may make it difficult to hold down a job or care for one's children. Unexplained pain may generate fear and anxiety.

There are many factors that may contribute to the symptom of pelvic pain. In this tutorial, these factors will be explored and initial treatments for common conditions described. Factors that might affect the woman's experience of her pain will be considered.

By listening carefully to her history and asking appropriate supplementary questions, an accurate diagnosis may be made at the initial consultation, allowing timely and effective interventions to be made and prevention of the long term destructive effects of CPP.

"I just wish somebody had thought of looking at my back before they offered me a hysterectomy."

 

Learning objectives

When you have completed this tutorial you will be able to:

  • identify a variety of factors that may contribute to pelvic pain
  • interpret history and examination findings to identify such factors
  • instigate simple treatments to resolve or reduce pelvic pain
  • describe features that may affect the patient's and the doctor's experience of the consultation

Last updated: 13/07/11 (tutorial was reviewed and updated by Katy Vincent, who added a new EMQ)

26/01/09 (TOG paper added in the 'Adenomyosis' section).

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