Pelvic Pain. Is this a common problem?

The more common causes of lower abdominal and pelvic pain are summarised in Table 23.1. Physical pain may arise from the vagina, cervix, the uterus, the ovaries or the Fallopian tubes (Figure 02-01). The pain can also be of non-gynaecological origin arising from the bowel, bladder or the musculo-skeletal system.

There are times when despite careful investigation, a physical explanation for the pelvic pain cannot be found. Sometimes the pain may be psychosomatic (a subconsciously mediated physical manifestation of a mental disorder).

Q 23. 1 Pelvic Pain. Is this a common problem?
Q 23. 2 What are the common causes of pelvic pain in women?
Q 23. 3 What are the more common gynaecological causes of pelvic pain?
Q 23. 4 What are the more common non-gynaecological causes of pelvic pain?
Q 23. 5 What are primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea - painful periods?
Q 23. 6 What is retrograde menstruation?
Q 23. 7 How can dysmenorrhoea - painful periods be treated?
Q 23. 8 What are ovarian cysts?
Q 23. 9 How do ovarian cysts cause pain?
Q 23. 10 How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
Q 23. 11 How are ovarian cysts treated?
Q 23. 12 I think I may be pregnant and I have some pelvic pain. What should I do? Q 23. 13 What is pelvic inflammatory disease and how can it be treated?
Mittelschmertz

FIBROIDS

Q 23. 14 What are fibroids?
Q 23. 15 I have fibroids. What difficulties might they cause for me?
Q 23. 16 How are fibroids diagnosed?
Q 23. 17 How could my fibroids be treated?

ENDOMETRIOSIS

Q 23. 18 What is endometriosis?
Q 23. 19 How prevalent is endometriosis?
Q 23. 20 What causes endometriosis?
Q 23. 21 How can my endometriosis be treated?
Q 23. 22 How can my doctor determine the cause of my pelvic pain?
Q 23. 23 What investigations might be recommended by my gynaecologist to investigate my pelvic pain?
Q 23. 24 What is laparoscopy?
Q 23. 25 What are pelvic adhesions?
Q 23. 26 I have chronic pelvic pain. Could this be related to adhesions?
Q 23. 27 What is uterine retroversion (retroverted uterus)
Q 23. 28 Does a retroverted uterus cause symptoms?
Q 23. 29 How is a retroverted uterus treated?
Q 23. 30 What is pelvic congestion?
Q 23. 31 What causes pain associated with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
Q 23. 32 How can painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) be treated?
Q 23. 33 What is a pelvic mass?
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME - IBS

Q 23. 34 What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Q 23. 35 How can we find out if I have irritable bowel syndrome?
Q 23. 36 Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a common condition?
Q 23. 37 What causes IBS?
Q 23. 38 What is the pain associated with IBS like?
Q 23. 39 Can IBS be mistaken for gynaecological problems?
Q 23. 40 How can my IBS be managed?
Q 23. 41 What other treatments are available for IBS?
Q 23. 42 What can be done to reduce the amount of bowel gas(flatus)
Q 23. 43 What is constipation?
Q 23. 44 What causes constipation?
Q 23. 45 How can constipation be treated?
Q 23. 46 How could we summarise the treatments that are available for my pelvic pain?
Q 23. 47 Where can I obtain more information?
Q 23. 48 Pelvic Pain Support Groups.
Q 23. 49 Endometriosis Support Groups.
Q 23. 50 IBS Support Groups.

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DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
Answers to FAQs on women's health, patient information and medical advice by David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Gynecologist - OBGYN), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Whipps Cross University Hospital, London