Gathered here are a collection of incisive articles, created for women, to focus on subjects relating to women's physical and emotional health and well-being. Topics under gynecologic conditions include causes, diagnosis, symptoms and possible treatment options of various issues in gynecologic health. Topics under the treatment category include a description of techniques and procedures in treatment options of gynecologic conditions.
It is our hope that this section may serve as a resource, helping you to be an informed partner in your own healthcare. The information is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. While the information has been carefully reviewed, it is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. The AAGL encourages you to contact your own physician for the appropriate care and treatment of your health.
The development of this patient education was supported by unrestricted educational grants by the healthcare companies listed below. We appreciate their support in allowing the AAGL to continue its mission to educate you about the quality healthcare options that are available.
American Medical Systems
Boston Scientific
Conceptus
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Women's Health & Urology
Intuitive Surgical
Karl Storz Endoscopy, America
Chronic pelvic pain is described as abdominal pain that is not associated with menstrual cramps occurring six months or more. Approximately 15-20% of women experience chronic pelvic pain. Often the cause is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Causes
Chronic pelvic pain can have many different underlying causes, and not all of them are gynecological. Interestingly, the nerves that signal "pain" from the pelvic organs to the brain are all bundled closely together as they enter the spinal cord. Thus, the brain cannot always distinguish an exact location of the pain. It could be coming from the uterus, the fallopian tubes or the ovaries, or it could be coming from the bladder, the intestines or the internal abdominal muscles. For this reason it is sometimes difficult to determine the underlying cause of chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes a team of specialists that includes a gynecologist, a urologist, a gastroenterologist and a physical therapist may be needed to pinpoint the root of pain.
Gynecologic causes of chronic pelvic pain include adhesions (scar tissue), endometriosis, previous damage due to surgery or infections, and interstitial cystitis (IC) pelvic congestion syndrome.
Diagnosis
One of the best means of identifying the cause of chronic pelvic pain is laparoscopy, a technique that allows the physician to view the pelvic organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, intestines, appendix, gallbladder and liver. This firsthand visual inspection can uncover problems such as endometriosis, pelvic infection, adhesions, ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancies, as well as inflammation or infection of the appendix, intestines or gallbladder. Once the cause is known, an appropriate treatment can be determined. Interstitial cystitis (IC) can be diagnosed in the office by a sample test called KCI test.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Gynecological Problems: Pelvic Pain. 2006. www.acog.org/publications/patient_education.pdf/bp099.cfm.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Pelvic Pain: A Guide for Patients. Patient Information Series 1997. www.asrm.org/patients/patientbooklets/pelvicpain.pdf.
Parker WH. A Gynecologist's Second Opinion. (c)2003; A Plume Book; Published by the Penguin Group, New York, NY.
