Lactose intolerance and long-standing pelvic pain after pregnancy: a case control study.
BACKGROUND
Long-standing pelvic pain during pregnancy and after delivery (PPP) is common. Its causes are not fully understood. A scientifically, undocumented, clinical observation is PPP patients often reporting unspecific abdominal pain and adverse reactions to milk. The main objective in this pilot study was to investigate if lactose intolerance, celiac disease or allergic propensity are risk factors for developing pelvic pain after delivery.


METHODS
A matched, case control study,where consecutive patients consulting a registered physiotherapist specialised in treating women with postpartum pelvic pain were compared to matched controls.


RESULTS
Lactose intolerance was found in 10 of 15 patients, and in 3 of 15 matched, healthy controls (p=0.05). No difference was seen between groups in the prevalence of celiac disease or allergic propensity.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that lactose intolerance might be a possible risk factor for pelvic pain after delivery.
Granath
Aina
A
Research and Development Unit and Department of Antenatal Care, Southern Bohuslän County, Sweden. aina.granath@vgregion.se
Hellgren
Margareta
M
Gunnarsson
Ronny
R
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors