iPay Clinic: Affordable Medical Office

ACCESS2CARE
FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER

PELVIC PAIN

“Pelvic pain” is a general term used to describe pain that occurs mostly or only in the region below a woman’s belly button. This type of pain is a common reason women seek medical care. The pain can be steady, or it can come and go. Severe pain can interfere with daily living and quality of life.

About Pelvic Pain

“Pelvic pain” is a general term used to describe pain that occurs mostly or only in the region below a woman’s belly button. This region includes the lower stomach, lower back, buttocks, and genital area.1

Pelvic pain is chronic if it lasts for more than 6 months and affects a woman’s quality of life.2 This condition is a common reason why women seek medical care.3

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
  2. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain external link
  3. Reiter, R. C. (1996). A profile of women with chronic pelvic pain. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 33, 130–136.

What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?

Although pain is the core symptom of pelvic pain, the specifics of that pain and other symptoms vary from woman to woman. Pelvic pain can be severe enough that it interferes with normal activities, such as going to work, exercising, or having sex.

Women describe pelvic pain in many ways. Pelvic pain can be steady, or it can come and go. It can be a sharp and stabbing pain felt in a specific spot, or a dull pain that is spread out. Some women have pain that occurs only during their menstrual periods. Some women feel pain when they need to use the bathroom, and some feel pain when lifting something heavy. Some women have pain in the vulva (the external genitals), which is called vulvodynia (pronounced vuhl-voe-DIN-ee-yuh), during sex or when inserting a tampon.1,2

Citations

  1. International Pelvic Pain Society. (2008). Pelvic pain assessment form. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://pelvicpain.org/IPPS/Professional/Documents-Forms/IPPS/Content/Professional/Documents_and_Forms.aspx?hkey=2597ab99-df83-40ee-89cd-7bd384efed19 external link (PDF 224 KB)
  2. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain external link

How many women have pelvic pain?

Researchers are not sure exactly how many women in the United States have chronic pelvic pain.

Because it is often linked to other disorders, such as endometriosis or vulvodynia, chronic pelvic pain may be misdiagnosed as another condition, making it difficult to estimate reliable prevalence rates for pelvic pain.1 According to one study, about 15% of women of childbearing age in the United States reported having pelvic pain that lasted at least 6 months.2 Worldwide, the rates of chronic pelvic pain for women of childbearing age range from 14% to 32%.2 Between 13% and 32% of these women have pain that is severe enough to cause them to miss work.3

Citations

  1. Andrews, J., Yunker, A., Reynolds, W. S., Likis, F. E., Sathe, N. A., & Jerome, R. N. (2012). Noncyclic chronic pelvic pain therapies for women: Comparative effectiveness. Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 41. Retrieved June 22, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK84586/
  2. Mathias, S. D., Kuppermann, M., Liberman, R. F., Lipschutz, R. C., & Steege, J. F. (1996). Chronic pelvic pain: Prevalence, health-related quality of life, and economic correlates. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 87, 321–327.
  3. Ahangari, A. (2014). Prevalence of chronic pelvic pain among women: An updated review. Pain Physician, 17, E141–E147. Retrieved June 14, 2016, from http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MjA2NQ%3D%3D&journal=81 external link (PDF 241 KB)

What causes pelvic pain?

There are many possible causes of pelvic pain, and it may be difficult to figure out the specific cause or causes.1 A woman’s pain may result from multiple causes occurring all at the same time. And a woman with one chronic pain condition is at increased risk for other types of chronic pain.

In many cases, pelvic pain indicates a problem with one or more of the organs in the pelvic area, such as the uterus, vagina, intestine, or bladder. Problems may include infection, inflammation, or conditions such as endometriosis.

The intensity of a woman’s pelvic pain may not relate to the severity of the problem or condition causing the pain. For example, a woman with only small areas of endometriosis may experience intense pain.

The following health problems can cause or contribute to pelvic pain:

Adhesions.1,2 Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between internal tissues and organs. They can form as a result of surgery or infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. There is disagreement about whether adhesions can cause pain. It has been proposed that pain may occur when adhesions prevent normal movement of internal organs, such as the bowel.3

Endometriosis.1,2 This condition (pronounced en-doh-mee-tree-OH-sis) occurs when tissues that normally grow inside the uterus grow somewhere else in the body, usually in other parts of the pelvis, such as on the outside of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. The two most common symptoms of endometriosis are pain and infertility.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.1,2 This syndrome (pronounced IN-tur-STISH-uhl siss-TY-tiss) is associated with pain in the region of the bladder as well as the need to urinate frequently and urgently. This pain may be a burning or sharp pain in the bladder or at the opening where urine leaves the body (urethra), and it is often relieved by emptying the bladder.4

Irritable bowel syndrome.1,2 This syndrome is a digestive problem that can cause pain, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Researchers have yet to find a specific cause for irritable bowel syndrome but stress or certain foods can trigger symptoms in some people.5

Pelvic floor disorders.1,2 These disorders occur when the muscles and connective tissues that hold the pelvic organs in place weaken or are injured, such as may occur during childbirth. These organs include the uterus, bladder, and rectum. Pelvic floor disorders can cause discomfort as well as functional problems, such as the uncontrolled loss of urine (urinary incontinence) or stool (fecal incontinence). With pelvic floor disorders, pain may also be caused by spasms or an increase in pelvic floor muscle tone.

Uterine fibroids.1,2 Uterine fibroids (pronounced YOO-ter-in FAHY-broidz) consist of an overgrowth of muscle cells within the wall of the uterus. These noncancerous tumors may cause heavy, irregular, or painful periods and local pressure symptoms, including frequent urination, trouble defecating, and lower back pain.

Vulvodynia.2 This condition (pronounced vuhl-voh-DIN-ee-uh) involves pain or discomfort of the vulva (the external female genitalia)), especially during intercourse. The pain may range from sharp pain to burning to itching. Although the vulvar pain is outside the pelvis, health care providers who see patients with pelvic pain may also care for patients with this disorder.

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
  2. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain external link
  3. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2013). Abdominal adhesions. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/abdominal-adhesions
  4. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2013). Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome
  5. National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

To find out the cause of a woman’s pain, her health care provider will:1

  • Ask questions about the woman’s pain and health history. How a woman describes her pain can help her health care provider figure out the pain type and what might be causing it.
  • Perform a physical exam. The health care provider will examine the abdomen and pelvis, and check the woman’s organs, muscles, and tissues in the pelvic region for tenderness or abnormalities that suggest a pain disorder.

The information the doctor gathers from the questions and physical exam will help the doctor decide whether additional tests or procedures are needed to help diagnose the cause of the pelvic pain. These tests or procedures may include:1,2

  • Lab tests, such as blood work or a urine test
  • Pelvic ultrasound, a procedure that uses sound waves to look at organs and structures inside the pelvic region3
  • Pelvic laparoscopy, a minor surgery in which the doctor inserts a viewing instrument called a laparoscope through a small cut in the skin below the belly button to look inside the pelvis4
  • Pelvic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the pelvis5
  • Cystoscopy, looking into the bladder by inserting a viewing instrument6
  • Colonoscopy, looking into the bowel by inserting a viewing instrument7

Finding the cause of pelvic pain can be challenging and can take time. Some women must check with more than one doctor or with a specialist to get help for their pain. Sometimes, the cause of the pain is not found. But failure to locate the cause does not mean that the pain a woman feels is not real or that it cannot be treated.1 Understanding what triggers the pain also can be helpful.

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
  2. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain External Web Site Policy
  3. Radiological Society of North America. (2015). Ultrasound—pelvis. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pelvus External Web Site Policy
  4. MedlinePlus. (2014). Pelvic laparoscopy. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002916.htm
  5. MedlinePlus. (2015). Pelvis MRI scan. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007355.htm
  6. MedlinePlus. (2014). Cystoscopy. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003903.htm
  7. MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Colonoscopy. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/colonoscopy.html

What are the symptoms of pelvic pain?

How many women have pelvic pain?

What causes pelvic pain?

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

How is pelvic pain treated?

How can I describe my pain to my health care provider?

Can there be more than one reason for my pelvic pain?

Can pelvic pain affect my ability to become pregnant?

Can alternative therapies treat my pain?

Can pelvic pain affect my emotional well-being?

How can I cope with long-lasting pain?

How is pelvic pain treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of pelvic pain, how intense the pain is, and how often the pain occurs. No single treatment approach has been shown to be better than another in all cases.1

Some treatment options include:

  • Medicines. Many types of medicine are used to treat pelvic pain. These include pain relievers that are swallowed or injected, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants.1,2,3
  • Hormonal treatment. Hormones can help pain related to endometriosis
    and menstruation.4 These include hormones that are swallowed, injected, or placed in the uterus, such as birth control pills, gonadotropin-releasing hormone injections, or progestin-releasing intrauterine devices. Hormonal treatment for pelvic pain is not the same as hormone therapy that is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of menopause.
  • Lifestyle changes. Some women’s pain is helped by changes in diet, improved posture, and regular physical activity.1
  • Physical therapy. Some types of pain, such as muscle and connective tissue pain, respond well to physical therapy. This type of therapy might involve massage, stretching, strengthening, or learning to relax or control pelvic muscles.5
  • Surgery. Some women may need surgery to remove adhesions,6 fibroids, and/or endometriosis. In some cases, the surgery might also reduce or relieve pelvic pain. Some women may have surgery to cut or destroy nerves to interrupt pain signals,1 but such pain surgeries often are not successful. Depending on the cause of the pain, a woman’s health care provider might recommend a hysterectomy (pronounced hiss-tur-EK-toh-mee), surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, to help relieve or reduce pelvic pain.
  • Counseling. Counseling or “talk therapy” may help treat pain. In fact, talk therapy, when combined with medical treatment, appears to work better for improving some symptoms than does medical treatment alone.1

Finding a treatment that works can take time. Some women want to try alternative therapies to relieve their pain. Learning healthy ways to cope with pain is an important aspect of any treatment approach.

Citations

  1. Andrews, J., Yunker, A., Reynolds, W. S., Likis, F. E., Sathe, N. A., & Jerome, R. N. (2012). Noncyclic chronic pelvic pain therapies for women: Comparative effectiveness (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 41). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
  2. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2013). Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome
  3. National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Irritable bowel syndrome. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome
  4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103(3), 589–605. PMID 14990428
  5. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain external link
  6. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2013). Abdominal adhesions. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/abdominal-adhesions

How can I describe my pain to my health care provider?

Describing your pain accurately and thoroughly may help your health care provider find the cause of the pain and treat it.

Information that is helpful to your doctor includes:1

  • How long you have had your pain
  • Where you feel the pain
  • Whether your pain is in one spot or spread out
  • How the pain feels and how severe it is
  • Whether pain is constant or comes and goes
  • What activities make pain worse or improve it
  • How your pain limits what you can do
  • How often the pain occurs and how long it lasts
  • Anything that triggers the pain

Keeping a pain diary or record of your pain is a good way to track your pain triggers as well as symptoms over time. Be as specific as possible. Some words that can help you describe the way your pain feels include:2

  • Aching
  • Cramping
  • Fearful
  • Gnawing
  • Heavy
  • Hot or burning
  • Sharp
  • Shooting
  • Sickening
  • Splitting
  • Stabbing
  • Punishing or cruel
  • Tender
  • Throbbing
  • Tiring or exhausting

Citations

  1. International Pelvic Pain Society. (2008). Pelvic pain assessment form. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://pelvicpain.org/IPPS/Professional/Documents-Forms/IPPS/Content/Professional/Documents_and_Forms.aspx?hkey=2597ab99-df83-40ee-89cd-7bd384efed19 external link (PDF 218 KB)
  2. Melzack, R. (1987). The short-form McGill pain questionnaire. Pain, 30, 191–197.

Can there be more than one reason for my pain?

Yes. Studies have found a good deal of overlap among pain conditions.1,2 For instance, a woman may have endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression at the same time—each of which may contribute to the overall pain she feels.

Having more than one pain condition can complicate diagnosis and treatment. To be effective, treatment needs to address all the conditions that are contributing to a woman’s pain.

Citations

  1. Andrews, J., Yunker, A., Reynolds, W. S., Likis, F. E., Sathe, N. A., & Jerome, R. N. (2012). Noncyclic chronic pelvic pain therapies for women: Comparative effectiveness (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 41). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
  2. Rodriguez, M. A., Afari, N., Buchwald, D. S., & National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Working Group on Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain. (2009). Evidence for overlap between urological and nonurological unexplained clinical conditions. Journal of Urology,182, 2123–2131.

Can pelvic pain affect my ability to become pregnant?

Some pelvic conditions that are associated with pain also are associated with difficulty getting pregnant.

These include:

  • EndometriosisUp to 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis are not able to get pregnant,1 making this condition one of the top three causes of female infertility.
  • Pelvic adhesions. Adhesions that form on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant.2
  • Uterine fibroids. Most women with fibroids do not have problems with fertility and can get pregnant. If a woman’s fibroid is located in the uterine cavity, she may face an increased risk of early pregnancy loss. Some women with fibroids may not be able to get pregnant naturally, but advances in treatments for infertility may help some of them get pregnant.

Some treatments for pelvic pain also can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. For example, hormonal birth control commonly is used to treat endometriosis. Hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, may be an option for women who are not helped by other treatments, but it makes pregnancy impossible. However, a woman may still be able to become a mother through other means, such as a surrogate carrier.

Citations

  1. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2012). Endometriosis: Does it cause infertility? Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/EndoDoesItCauseInfertility.pdf external link (PDF 250 KB)
  2. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2008). Adhesions: What are they and how can they be prevented? Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.asrm.org/FACTSHEET_Adhesions_What_Are_They_And_How_Can_They_Be_Prevented/ external link (PDF 12KB)

Can alternative therapies treat my pain?

Some women choose alternative medicine to treat their pain.1 Although there is little evidence on how effective these remedies are for treating pain, alternative treatments may help in some cases.

For instance, the following approaches may help relieve menstrual pain:2

  • Vitamin B1 or magnesium supplements
  • Acupuncture, acupressure, and nerve stimulation therapies

If you are thinking about trying an alternative product or therapy to cope with your pain, make sure to talk to your health care providers first. Ask them what the scientific evidence indicates about the safety of the product or therapy and how well it works.1 Keep in mind that dietary supplements can interact with other medicines you might be using or can cause problems if not used correctly.3

Citations

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. (2017). Chronic Pain: In Depth. Retrieved June 13, 2017, from  https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chronic-pain-in-depth
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
  3. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2015). 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-what-consumers-need-to-know-about-dietary-supplements

Can pelvic pain affect my emotional well-being?

The relationship between pelvic pain and emotional health is complex.1 Many women with long-lasting pelvic pain also have depression or anxiety, but how these conditions are linked is not well understood.

For instance, long-lasting pain can lead to depression, but depression also can cause pain or make existing pain worse.2 Women with pelvic pain also have higher rates of having a history of sexual or physical abuse.3 Ongoing pelvic pain also can contribute to sleep problems, sexual problems, relationship stress, and problems at work and at home.1

All these factors can play a role in how a woman feels pain, in her emotional wellness, and in her quality of life.1 Learning healthy ways to cope with pain is an important aspect of treatment.

Citations

  1. International Pelvic Pain Society. (2013). Chronic pelvic pain: A patient education booklet. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.pelvicpain.org/index.php?preview=1&option=com_dropfiles&format=&task=frontfile.download&catid=50&id=15&Itemid=1000000000000 external link (PDF 1.8 MB)
  2. UCSF Medical Center. (n.d.). Pelvic pain. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/pelvic_pain external link
  3. Walling, M. K., Reiter, R. C., O’Hara, M. W., Milburn, A. K., Lilly, G., & Vincent, S. D. (1994). Abuse history and chronic pain in women: I. Prevalences of sexual abuse and physical abuse. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 84, 193–199.

How can I cope with long-lasting pain?

Living with pelvic pain can be difficult. Not only does pain hurt, but it also can limit how well you get around or perform daily tasks. Finding a treatment or treatments that help and getting a diagnosis may be emotionally trying, too. For these reasons, finding healthy coping strategies is an important aspect of living with pain.

These strategies may help you cope with pain:1

  • Counseling or “talk therapy.” A mental health professional can help you identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may contribute to your pain and help you realize how you cope with your pain. A therapist can help you set goals and learn new ways of thinking about and reacting to your pain, and these strategies may improve your outlook and the way you feel about your pain.2 Women with pain seem to have better treatment outcomes when counseling is added to medical treatment.3
  • Pain support groups. Talking to other people who have pain can give you ideas for how to deal with your pain or the problems your pain creates.
  • Physical activity. Pain may make you inactive, and this lack of activity can lead to other health problems and loss of function. Regular physical activity can keep you fit and also prevent weight gain, can lower risk of depression, and may improve sleep quality.4 Talk to your health care provider about physical activities that are good for you to try. Some types of activity may contribute to pain.

Keep in mind that unhealthy coping strategies, such as overeating and smoking, can make pain problems worse.

Citations

  1. National Institutes of Health. (2012). Halt the hurt! Dealing with chronic pain. NIH News in Health. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Mar2012
  2. Somers TJ, Keefe FJ, Godiwala N, Hoyler GH. (2009). Psychological Factors and the Pain Experience of Osteoarthritis Patients. Curr Opin Rheumatol. Sep;21(5):501-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19617836/ external link
  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2004). ACOG practice bulletin no. 51. Chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 103, 589–605.
  4. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, HHS. (2016). 2008 physical activity guidelines for Americans. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf#page=41 (PDF 14.5 MB)

NICHD Pelvic Pain Research Goals

NICHD research addresses pelvic pain and some of the numerous gynecologic and nongynecologic disorders associated with it.

Within this broad context, NICHD research on pelvic pain aims to:

  • Investigate the etiology of pelvic pain disorders as well as characterize the underlying mechanisms and contributors to pain
  • Examine the relationship between pelvic pain disorders and other diseases or conditions
  • Describe the physical, emotional, interpersonal, economic, and other burdens of pelvic pain
  • Improve standardization of measurement and diagnostic criteria to aid in pain assessment and diagnosis of pain disorders, facilitate the comparison of clinical trial results, and support evidence-based practice
  • Develop minimally invasive approaches to treat pelvic pain disorders and their symptoms

Pelvic Pain Research Activities and Advances

NICHD conducts and supports research on pelvic pain and on some of the gynecologic and nongynecologic disorders associated with it, with the ultimate goal of reducing morbidity among women through prevention or improved treatment.

Research both directly and indirectly related to pelvic pain is supported through the Gynecological Health and Disease Branch (GHDB) in the Division of Extramural Research.

These studies range from the genetics and molecular biology of pain-related disorders to clinical trials seeking to identify optimal treatment modalities. Specific research receiving grant support includes studies in dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids, pelvic floor disorders, and vulvodynia. Research support is also provided to clarify mechanistic distinctions in pelvic pain subtypes as well as both peripheral and central pain mechanisms in pelvic pain and vulvodynia. Current studies include:

Central Pain Mechanisms in Primary Dysmenorrhea (PD)

This study aims to better understand the potential role of central pain mechanisms, including excitatory and inhibitory pain responses, in dysmenorrhea. This study is the first of its kind to explore pain responses in PD across the developmental spectrum, which has the potential to identify girls and women at risk for the development of additional chronic pain problems.

Neurophysiological Diagnostics for Menstrual Pain

This study will examine whether involuntary muscle movements/reflexes can be measured to evaluate the pain experienced by women with different types of pelvic pain. The study will compare these muscle movements in women with primary dysmenorrhea and women with chronic pelvic pain in order to determine which nerve pathways are responsible for the pain experienced and to potentially identify targets for treatment.

Mechanistic Distinctions in Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Subtypes

Currently, each pelvic pain subtype is studied in isolation rather than as a system, making patient diagnoses poorly understood. This study examines the many factors (neural/sensory, musculoskeletal, and psychosocial) involved in women with postpartum chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and chronic bladder pain compared to women without CPP. The public health impact of the proposed work will be to enable clinicians to provide more accurate CPP diagnoses and more timely and targeted interventions to improve the quality of life in women with CPP.

The Institute also led efforts to create the NIH Research Plan on Vulvodynia (PDF – 746 KB), which lays out a scientific agenda for the NIH to conduct and gather rigorous scientific evidence needed to answer questions and fill in knowledge gaps about vulvodynia, a primary symptom of which is pelvic pain.

Pelvic pain often has more than one cause, and this complexity is the reason why NICHD collaborates with other NIH Institutes and pain research groups. Specifically:

NICHD is an active member of the NIH Pain Consortium, which was established to enhance pain research and promote collaboration among researchers across the many NIH Institutes and Centers that have programs and activities addressing pain.

The Institute also participates in the Trans-NIH Overlapping Chronic Pain Conditions Working Group, which was formed in 2014 and brings together program directors from 12 Institutes and Centers involved in pain research as well as external members from pain advocacy groups.

In 2013, the World Endometriosis Society Montpellier Consortium published the first-ever worldwide consensus statement on the management of endometriosis. The statement, published in the journal Human Reproduction, addresses 69 issues related to the management of endometriosis. NICHD scientists and grantees were among those on the Consortium. Visit Global Consortium Identifies Best Management of Endometriosis for more information.