Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2001 Feb; 5(1): 13-9.

Pelvic pain: a chronic visceral pain syndrome.

Wesselmann U, Czakanski PP.

Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Traylor Building 604, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. pain@jhmi.edu

Patients with chronic pelvic pain are usually evaluated and treated by gynecologists, gastroenterologists, urologists, and internists. In many patients with chronic pelvic pain the examination and work-up remain unrevealing and no specific cause of the pain can be identified. In these cases it is important to recognize that pain is not only a symptom of pelvic disease, but that the patient is suffering from a chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Once the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain is made, treatment should be directed to symptomatic pain management. This article outlines treatment options currently available. Despite the challenge inherent in the management of chronic pelvic pain, many patients can be treated successfully using a multidisciplinary pain management approach. The first important step is to recognize that patients with chronic pelvic pain might suffer from a chronic visceral pain syndrome.