Chronic pelvic pain in women: evaluation and management in primary care.
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is a common disorder, affecting as many as 15% of adult women, and often provides both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Pain in CPP may originate directly from pelvic organs, or may be referred from more distant tissue sites. A comprehensive medical history and physical examination should include special attention to gynecological, urological, gastrointestinal, psychiatric, myofascial, and neuromuscular systems. The effective management of CPP may involve comprehensive evaluations by specialists, psychologists, and multiple office visits. Physicians should address CPP as a chronic disease. Combining lifestyle modification with other traditional treatments produces better outcomes. Laboratory tests, transvaginal ultrasound, and laparoscopy may identify serious disease or provide significant reassurance to patient. Specific surgical procedures for various conditions and pain relief measures are beneficial in selected patients. A sensitive physician who is willing to spend adequate time and coordinate care with specialists can markedly diminish the suffering of these patients.
Samraj
George P N
GP
Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, 32601, USA. georges@ufl.edu
Kuritzky
Louis
L
Curry
R Whit
RW
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care
D000700:Analgesics