Chronic%20pelvic%20pain%20in%20women Signs and Symptoms
Introduction
- It is a symptom with a number of contributory factors and not a diagnosis; pathophysiology is complex and not well understood
- It is assumed that in the development of chronic pain, the nervous system is affected among others by inflammatory and chemical mediators and hormones
- A complex problem that is both multifactorial and multidimensional
- Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) mechanisms include acute pain that is in progress involving visceral or somatic tissue, chronic pain involving the central nervous system (CNS), and cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and sexual responses and mechanisms
- CPP may be subdivided into specific disease-associated pain (conditions with well-defined pathology) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) (without obvious pathology)
Definition
- CPP is a persistent, distressing, and severe pain of >6 months duration; occurs intermittently, cyclically, or situationally; localized to the pelvis, anterior abdominal wall at or below the umbilicus, the lumbosacral back, or the buttocks; and is severe enough to cause functional disability or need medical care
- In women, CPP is not restricted to intercourse or menstruation and is not associated with pregnancy
Etiology
- The following are the common causes of CPP
- Treatment is directed towards the specific condition and according to its specific guidelines
Gastrointestinal | Gynecological | Musculoskeletal |
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Psychiatric/Neurological | Urological | Others |
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1Urinary Tract Infection in Women – Complicated or Urinary Tract Infection – Uncomplicated disease management charts