Chronic pelvic pain: Puzzling, frustrating condition

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Fri Oct 12 11:33:49 2001


Because of copyright laws, I have not included this entire article here. Please go to this website to read more about...

[]] Chronic pelvic pain: Puzzling, frustrating condition

http://www.mayohealth.org/home?id=HQ00432

The pain can be steady or it can come and go. It could be a dull ache, a sharp pain or cramping. It can be an overall feeling of pressure or heaviness deep in your belly. You could have pain when you have intercourse,when you move your bowels or even when you plop into a chair. Your pain may intensify after standing for long periods and be relieved when you lie down. The pain may vary from mild to severe, from annoying to downright disabling. One thing these various aches and pains have in common - besides being persistent - is that they occur in the area of your body referred to as your pelvic region, somewhere below your belly button and between your hips. If you were asked to locate your pain, you'd be more likely to sweep your hand over that entire area rather than point to one spot.

However you describe it, chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is no stranger to women. One in seven women experience it, and it accounts for 10 percent to 20 percent of office visits to a gynecologist. It's the reason behind at least 20 percent of all laparoscopies (viewing your internal organs using a lighted tube inserted through a small incision in your abdomen) and 12 percent to 16 percent of hysterectomies (surgical removal of the uterus).

Determining what's causing your discomfort may be one of medicine's more puzzling and frustrating endeavors. Indeed, no physical cause ever may be discovered. Here's what you need to know about likely sources of CPP, how your doctors will uncover what may be causing yours, what happens if no cause is found, and the treatment strategies designed to bring you relief.

1.) Gathering clues

..... Pelvic examination

..... Cultures.

..... Laparoscopy

..... Imaging studies

..... Pain mapping

~ ~ ~ ~ 2.) Likely culprits, possible remedies

..... Endometriosis .

..... Pelvic floor tension myalgias .

..... Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

..... Pelvic congestion syndrome

..... Ovarian remnant.

.....Fibroids

~ ~ ~ ~

3.) Psychological instigators

~ ~ ~ ~

4.) Breaking the pain cycle

~ ~ ~ ~

Gathering clues Likely culprits, possible remedies Psychological instigators Breaking the pain cycle

Managing pain What is Vulvodynia?

November 1, 1999


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