Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer. Chronic pain can come and go, or it can be constant. Sometimes chronic pelvic pain follows a regular cycle. For example, it may occur during menstruation. It also can occur only at certain times, such as before or after eating, while urinating, or during sex.
Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of gynecological conditions, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or interstitial cystitis.
Many times, however, the cause can be related not to the reproductive organs but to the urinary tract or bowel. Patients are often surprised to learn that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, or even food allergies can cause CPP.
Frequently, a woman will come to me with complaints of pelvic pain and vague bladder symptoms and they have been dismissed by other providers because all their studies are normal. I diagnose them with chronic bladder pain (Interstitial Cystitis), which once it is diagnosed, treatment is begun and pain decreases. There is no cure for Interstitial Cystitis, but there are good options for management of the pain.
Depending on the cause, there are many different approaches to treating chronic pelvic pain, from diet and nutrition, to physical therapy, in-office procedures and surgical procedures.