Role of hysteroscopy in evaluating chronic pelvic pain

OBJECTIVE: To provide a survey of various gynecological conditions causing \nchronic pelvic pain (CPP) that might be diagnosed by hysteroscopy. \nDESIGN: Review article. \nSETTING: Departments of obstetrics and gynecology and pathophysiology of human \nreproduction at a university in Italy. \nPATIENT(S): Women affected by CPP. \nINTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopy. \nMAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Effectiveness in diagnosing intrauterine pathologies \nthat cause CPP. \nRESULT(S): Hysteroscopy is highly effective in diagnosing various gynecological \ncauses of CPP, including adenomyosis, chronic endometritis, Müllerian anomalies, \nretained fetal bones, endocervical ossification, and intrauterine abnormalities. \nFurthermore, hysteroscopy may play a primary role in the resolution of some of \nthese conditions. \nCONCLUSION(S): Because it can be executed safely in an office setting without \nanesthesia, hysteroscopy may be indicated, together with the other noninvasive \nprocedures such as transvaginal ultrasonography, as a first-level investigation \nin women who are affected by CPP.