Marvin L. Stancil, M.D.
Associate Professor
Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Medical Student Objectives
 Define chronic pelvic pain.
 Cite the prevalence and common etiologies of chronic
pelvic pain.
 Describe the symptoms & physical exam findings
associated with chronic pelvic pain.
 Discuss the steps in the evaluation & management
options for chronic pelvic pain.
 Discuss the psychosocial issues associated with chronic
pelvic pain.
Definition
Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is pain of
apparent pelvic origin that has been
present most of the time for the
past six months and is affecting the
patient’s quality of life
Definition
 Difficult to diagnose
 Difficult to treat
 Difficult to cure
Frustration for
patient and
physician
Incidence
 Affects 15-20% of women of reproductive age
 Accounts for 20% of all laparoscopies
 Accounts for 12-16% of all hysterectomies
 Associated medical costs of $3 billion annually
Psychological
Gastrointestinal
Urological
Gynecological
Musculoskeletal
Demographics
 Demographics of age, race, ethnicity, education,
and socioeconomic status do not differ between
those with and without chronic pelvic pain
 Higher incidence in single, separated or
divorced women
 40-50% of women have a history of abuse
Etiology: United Kingdom Primary Care Database
 25-50% of women had more than
one diagnosis
Diagnosis Distribution
Gastrointestinal
37.7%
Urinary
30.8%
Gynecological
20.2%
 Severity and consistency of pain
increased with multisystem
symptoms
 Most common diagnoses:
• endometriosis
• adhesive disease
• irritable bowel syndrome
• interstitial cystitis
Diagnosis
Obtaining a
COMPLETE and DETAILED HISTORY
is the most important key to
formulating a diagnosis
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
 Duration of Pain
 Nature of the Pain
• Sharp, stabbing, throbbing,
aching, dull?
 Specific Location of Pain
• Associated with radiation
to other areas?
 Modifying Factors
• Things that make worse or
better?
 Timing of the Pain
• Intermittent or constant?
• Temporal relationship with
menses?
• Temporal relationship with
intercourse?
• Predictable or
spontaneous onset?
 Detailed medical and surgical
history
• Specifically abdominal,
pelvic, back surgery
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Use the REVIEW OF SYSTEMS
to obtain focused, detailed history of
organ systems involved in the
differential diagnosis
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Gynecological Review of Systems
 Associated with menses?
 Association with sexual activity? (Be specific)
 New sexual partner and/or practices?
 Symptoms of vaginal dryness or atrophy?
 Other changes with menses?
 Use of contraception?
 Detailed childbirth history?
 History of pelvic infections?
 History of gynecological surgeries or other problems?
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Gastrointestinal Review of Systems
 Regularity of bowel movements?
 Diarrhea/ constipation/ flatus?
 Relief with defecation?
 History of hemorrhoids/ fissures/ polyps?
 Blood in stools, melena, mucous?
 Nausea, emesis or change in appetite?
 Abdominal bloating?
 Weight loss?
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Urological Review of Systems
 Pain with urination?
 History of frequent or recurrent urinary tract infection?
 Hematuria?
 Symptoms of urgency or urinary incontinence?
 Difficulty voiding?
 History of nephrolithiasis?
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Musculoskeletal Review of Systems
 History of trauma?
 Association with back pain?
 Other chronic pain problems?
 Association with position or activity?
 Any abdominal wall complaints or surgery?
Diagnosis: Obtaining the History
Psychological Review of Systems
 History of verbal, physical or sexual abuse?
 Diagnosis of psychiatric disease?
 Onset associated with life stressors?
 Exacerbation associated with life stressors?
 Familial or spousal support?
Diagnosis: The Physical Exam
Evaluate each area individually
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Abdomen
Anterior abdominal wall
Pelvic Floor Muscles
Vulva
Vagina
Urethra
Cervix
Viscera – uterus, adnexa, bladder
Rectum
Rectovaginal septum
Coccyx
Lower Back/Spine
Posture and gait
A bimanual exam alone is
NOT sufficient for evaluation
Diagnosis: Objective Evaluative Tools
Basic Testing
Specialized Testing
 Pap Smear
 MRI or CT Scan
 Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
 Endometrial Biopsy
 Wet Mount
 Laparoscopy
 Urinalysis
 Cystoscopy
 Urine Culture
 Urodynamic Testing
 Pregnancy Test
 Urine Cytology
 CBC with Differential
 Colonoscopy
 ESR or CRP
 Electrophysiologic studies
 PELVIC ULTRASOUND
 Referral to Specialist
Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for Chronic Pelvic Pain is extensive

Challenges the gynecologist to “think outside the uterus”

Diagnosis, evaluation and treatment plans:
•
Should align with pertinent positives and negatives from the
History and Physical
•
Often requires an interdisciplinary approach
Differential Diagnosis:
Gynecological Conditions that may Cause or Exacerbate
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Level A
Level B
Level C

Endometriosis

Adhesions

Adenomyosis

Gynecologic malignancies

Benign Cystic Mesothelioma

Dysmenorrhea/ Ovulatory Pain

Ovarian Retention Syndrome

Liomyomata

Nonendometriotic Adnexal Cysts

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome

Postoperative Peritoneal Cysts

Cervical Stenosis

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Chronic Ectopic Pregnancy

Pelvic Inflammatory Syndrome

Chronic Endometritis

Tuberculosis Salpingitis

Endometrial or Cervical Polyps

Endosalpingiosis

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device

Ovarian Ovulatory Pain

Residual accessory ovary

Symptomatic Pelvic Prolapse
Source: ACOG Practice Bulletin #51, March 2004
Differential Diagnosis: Gynecological Conditions
Cyclical
Non-cyclical

Endometriosis

Pelvic Masses

Adenomyosis

Adhesive Disease

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Ovulation Pain/ Mittleschmertz

Tuberculosis Salpingitis

Cervical Stenosis

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Ovarian Remnant Syndrome

Symptomatic Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Vaginismus

Pelvic Floor Pain Syndrome
Endometriosis
 Presence of endometrial tissue outside of uterine cavity
•
•
•
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Usually found in dependent areas of the pelvis
Most commonly in ovaries, posterior cul-de-sac, uterosacral ligaments
Endometrial glands and stroma on biopsy
May be at distant sites such as bowel, bladder, lung, skin, plurae
 Etiology not well understood
•
•
•
•
Retrograde menstruation
Lymphatic and hematologic spread of menstrual tissue
Metaplasia of coelomic epithelium
Immunologic dysfunction
Endometriosis: Prevalence
 Typically diagnosed in women 25 -35 years of age
 Diagnosed in approximately 45% of women undergoing
laparoscopy for any indication
 Diagnosed in approximately 30% of women undergoing
laparoscopy with primary complaint of chronic pelvic pain
 Found in 38% of women with infertility
 Family history increases risk ten-fold
 Significant cause of morbidity
Endometriosis: Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms
 Dysmenorrhea
 Dyspareunia
 Infertility
 Intermenstrual
Spotting
Physical Exam
 Visible lesions on cervix or vagina
 Tender nodules in the cul-de-sac,
uterosacral ligaments or rectovaginal
septum
 Pain with uterine movement
 Painful Defecation
 Tender adnexal masses (endometriomas)
 Pelvic Heaviness
 Fixation (retroversion) of uterus
 Asymptomatic
 Rectal mass
 Normal findings
Endometriosis: Diagnosis
 Diagnosis can be made on clinical history and exam
 Serum CA125 may be elevated but lacks sufficient specificity
and sensitivity to be useful
 Imaging studies lack sufficient resolution to detect small
endometrial implants
 Laparoscopy is gold standard for diagnosis
• Multiple appearances: red, brown, scar, white, powder
burn, vesicular lesions, adhesions, defects in peritoneum,
endometriomas
• Allows diagnosis and treatment
Laparoscopic
Appearance of
Endometriosis
Endometriosis: Diagnosis
 Revised classification system
by the ASRM (1996)
 Poor correlation between
symptoms and extent of
disease
Staging of
Endometriosis
Endometriosis: Medical Treatment
 NSAIDS for mild disease
 First Line: Oral contraceptives
 Suppress ovulation and menstruation
 Cyclic or continuous therapy
 Improves symptoms in up to 70-80%
 Second Line: Progestins, GnRH agonists, Danazol
 Lupron Depot (x 6-12 months)
 Improves symptoms in up to 80-85%
 Side effects: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia,
bone loss irritability
 “Add back” estrogen +/- progestin
Endometriosis: Surgical Treatment
 Laparoscopic Removal or Destruction
 Treatment at time of diagnosis
 Used in conjunction with medical therapy
 Improves pain in up to 80-90% of patients
 Laparotomy (TAH/BSO)
 Inadequate response to medical treatment or conservative
surgical treatment with no desire for future fertility
 May preserve ovaries in young women, but 30% with
recurrent symptoms
 Laparoscopic Uterosacral Nerve Ablation (LUNA), Presacral
neurectomy
 Involves transecting the nerve plexus at the base of the
cervical-uterosacral ligament junction or retroperitoneum
Adenomyosis
 Description: Presence of endometrial glands and stroma
within the myometrium
 Symptoms: Dysmenorrhea; Menorrhagia; Enlarged boggy
uterus; typically affects women age 30-40’s
 Diagnosis: Pathology, MRI (ultrasound limited usefulness)
 Treatment: Hysterectomy; usually when diagnosis is made
Primary Dysmenorrhea
 Description: Pain associated with menses that usually
begins 1-3 days prior to the onset of menses; last 1-3 days
 Risk Factors: Nulliparity, Young Age, Heavy menses,
Cigarette Smoking
 Symptoms: Crampy lower abdominal pain; +/- nausea,
emesis, diarrhea or headache, normal physical exam
 Treatment: NSAIDS, Multivits with B-complex, Hormonal
Therapy (OCPs, OrthoEvra, Nuvaring, Mirena IUD, DepoProvera. Usual improvement after childbirth.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
 Description: Spectrum of inflammation and infection in the
upper female genital tract
 Endometritis/ endomyometritis
 Salpingitis/ salpingo-oophritis
 Tubo-ovarian Abscess
 Pelvic Peritonitis
 Pathophysiology: Ascending infection of vaginal and
cervical microorganisms
 Chlamydia ,Gonorrhea (developed countries)
 Tuberculosis (developing countries)
 Acute PID usually polymicrobial infection
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
 Risk Factors
 Adolescent
 Multiple sexual partners
 Greater than 2 sexual partners in past 4 weeks
 New partner in the past 4 weeks
 Prior history of PID
 Prior history of gonorrhea or chlamydia
 Smoking
 None or inconsistent condom use
 Instrumentation of the cervix and lower reproductive
tract
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: CDC Diagnostic Guidelines (2006)
 Minimum Criteria (one required):
 Uterine Tenderness
 Adnexal Tenderness
 Cervical Motion Tenderness
 No other identifiable causes
 Additional criteria for dx:
 Oral temperature greater than 101F
 Abnormal cervical or vaginal
discharge
 Presence of increased WBC in
vaginal secretions
 Elevated ESR or C-reactive protein
 Documented of GC or CT
 Specific criteria for dx:
 Pathologic evidence of
endometritis
 US or MRI showing
hydrosalpinx, TOA
 Laparosopic findings
consistent with PID
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
 Treatment: Outpatient and Inpatient Abx dosing regimens;
Total therapy for 14 days, maybe longer if TOA
 Sequelae
 Infertility
 Ectopic Pregnancy
 Chronic Pelvic Pain
 Occurs in 18-35% of women who develop PID
 May be due to inflammatory process with
development of pelvic adhesions
Refer to www.CDC.gov/std; revised 2010,
updated Aug. 2012 for outpt. GC treatment
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
 Description: Retrograde flow through incompetent valves
venous valves can cause tortuous and congested pelvic and
ovarian varicosities; Etiology unknown.
 Symptoms: Pelvic ache or heaviness that may worsen
premenstrually, after prolonged sitting or standing, or
following intercourse
 Diagnosis: Pelvic venogrpahy, CT, MRI, ultrasound,
laparoscopy
 Treatment: Progestins, GnRH agonists, ovarian vein
embolization or ligation, and hysterectomy with bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)
Pelvic Floor Pain Syndrome
 Description: Spasm and strain of pelvic floor muscles
 Levator Ani Muscles
 Coccygeus Muscle
 Piriformis Muscle
 Symptoms: Chronic pelvic pain symptoms; pain in buttocks
and down back of leg, dyspareunia
 Treatment: Biofeedback, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy,
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) units,
antianxiolytic therapy, cooperation from sexual partner
Differential Diagnosis:
Urological Conditions that may Cause or Exacerbate
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Level B
Level A
Level C

Bladder Carcinoma

Detrusor Dyssynergia

Chronic Urinary Tract Infection

Interstitial Cystitis

Urethral Diverticulum

Recurrent Acute Cystitis

Radiation Cystitis

Recurrent Acute Urethritis

Urethral Syndrome

Stone/urolithiasis

Urethral Caruncle
Source: ACOG Practice Bulletin #51, March 2004
Interstitial Cystitis
 Description: Chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder
 Etiology: Loss of mucosal surface protection of the bladder
and thereby increased bladder permeability
 Symptoms:
 Urinary urgency and frequency
 Pain is worse with bladder filling; improved with urination
 Pain is worse with certain foods
 Pressure in the bladder and/or pelvis
 Pelvic Pain in up to 70% of women
 Present in 38-85% presenting with chronic pelvic pain
Interstitial Cystitis
 Diagnosis:
 Cystoscopy with bladder distension
 Intravesicular Potassium Sensitivity Test
 Presence of glomerulations (Hunner Ulcers)
 Treatment:
 Avoidance of acidic foods and beverages
 Antihistamines
 Tricyclic antidepressants
 Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium)
 Intravesical therapy: DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)
Differential Diagnosis:
Gastrointestinal Conditions that may Cause or
Exacerbate Chronic Pelvic Pain
Level A

Colon Cancer

Constipation

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Source: ACOG Practice Bulletin #51, March 2004
Level B
None
Level C


Colitis
Chronic Intermittent Bowel
Obstruction

Diverticular Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 Description: Chronic relapsing pattern of abdomino-pelvic pain
and bowel dysfunction with diarrhea and/or constipation
 Prevalence
 Affects 12% of the U.S. population
 2:1 prevalence in women: men
 Peak age of 30-40’s
 Rare on women over 50
 Associated with elevated stress level
 Symptoms
 Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, mucousy stools
 Symptoms of IBS found in 50-80% women with CPP
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 Diagnosis based on Rome II
criteria
 Treatment
 Dietary changes
 Decrease stress
 Cognitive Psychotherapy
 Medications
 Antidiarrheals
 Antispasmodics
 Tricyclic Antidepressants
 Serotonin receptor (3, 4)
antagonists
Differential Diagnosis:
Musculoskeletal Conditions that may Cause or
Exacerbate Chronic Pelvic Pain
Level B
Level A

Abdominal Wall Myofascial
Pain (Trigger Points)

Chronic Back Pain

Poor Posture

Fibromyalgia

Neuralgia of pelvic nerves

Pelvic Floor Myalgia

Peripartum Pelvic Pain
Syndrome
Source: ACOG Practice Bulletin #51, March 2004
Level C

Herniated Disk

Lumbar Spine Compression

Low Back Pain

Degenerative Joint Disease

Neoplasia of spinal
cord or sacral nerve

Hernia

Muscular Strains and Sprains

Rectus Tendon Strains

Spondylosis
Differential Diagnosis:
Psychological/Other Conditions that may Cause or
Exacerbate Chronic Pelvic Pain
Level B
Level A

Abdominal cutaneous nerve
entrapment in surgical scar

Depression

Somatization Disorder
Source: ACOG Practice Bulletin #51, March 2004
Level C

Celiac Disease

Abdominal Epilepsy

Neurologic Dysfunction

Abdominal Migraines

Porphyria

Bipolar Personality Disorder

Shingles

Familial Mediterranean Fever

Sleep Disturbances
Psychological Associations
 40 – 50% of women with CPP have a history of abuse
(physical, verbal , sexual)
 Psychosomatic factors play a prominent role in CPP
 Psychotropic medications and various modes of psychotherapy
appear to be helpful as both primary and adjunct therapy for
treatment of CPP– Multidisciplinary pain clinic
 Approach patient in a gentle, non-judgmental manner
• Do not want to imply that “pain is all in her head”
Conclusions
 Chronic Pelvic Pain requires patience, understanding and
collaboration from both patient and physician
 Obtaining a thorough history is key to accurate diagnosis
and effective treatment
 Diagnosis is often multifactorial – may affect more than
one pelvic organ
 Treatment options often multifactorial – medical, surgical,
physical therapy, cognitive therapy