Diagnosis and Management in Patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Book excerpt: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) involves a list of deviations with persistent pain in the pelvic area as the main factor. Multiple pain syndromes exist for this, and, after assessment, the reason for the chronic symptoms often remains unclear. The exclusion of the origins or reasons for the pain that can be treated curatively is of the greatest importance. When no reasons for the pain can be found, or when the pain cannot be healed, symptomatic treatment will be necessary. The most successful treatment of CPP is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together doctors, nurses, physical therapists, osteopaths, and psychologists. Chronic pain has an important impact on the quality of life and strong negative consequences on the psychologic and emotional state of the patient. In addition, the success of the (usually long-term) treatment is not easy to predict. Beginning with a general discussion, this book considers pain abnormalities in the most important parts of the small pelvis. It also discusses various treatments of these issues, and delves into the psychological approach to such pain.