Causes of chronic pelvic pain.
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and debilitating condition, and yet remarkably little is known about what causes the pain. In this chapter we present a model of CPP which emphasizes the multifactorial nature of the problem. A range of physical causes are discussed, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), adhesions, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, musculo-skeletal factors and nerve-related pain. The role of the nervous system in the genesis and moderation of pain is explored. The importance of psychological factors is discussed, both as a primary cause of pain and as a factor which affects the pain experience. As with other chronic syndromes, the biopsychosocial model offers a way of integrating physical causes of pain with psychological and social factors.
Moore
J
J
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
Kennedy
S
S
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000150:complications; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000150:complications; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000150:complications