Chronic Pelvic Pain Tutorial

Several different types of problems can cause pelvic pain, which can be intermittent or constant. When the pain is cyclic and seems to occur during certain specific times during the menstrual cycle, then the pain usually has a gynecological cause that can be treated if identified. If the pain seems to be primarily related to bowel movements, urination, certain types of movement, or a specific body position then other causes may also exist. When pelvic pain lasts for greater than 4 to 6 months, then the pain can become an illness in itself that is often referred to as "chronic pelvic pain."

In this pelvic pain tutorial, a large amount of information about the clinical evaluation for a woman with pelvic pain as well as the causes and treatments of pelvic pain are presented by Dr. Eric Daiter.

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The clinical evaluation that is performed to evaluate pelvic pain often determines whether the cause is found and therefore a careful and thorough approach is critically important. Dr. Daiter reviews the components of a complete evaluation, including the clinical history that is taken, the physical examination that is performed, laboratory testing that may be considered, and the role of minimally invasive surgical procedures like laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.

The sections on the various causes and treatments of pelvic pain provide Dr. Daiter's detailed descriptions of many of the common causes of pelvic pain. These causes may include gynecological problems like endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, pelvic cysts and fibroids; gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome; genitourinary problems like interstitial cystitis; and musculoskeletal problems like fibromyalgia and myofascial trigger points.