Pelvic pain in women: clinical and scientific aspects

Katy Vincent
Current opinion in supportive and palliative care · 2011 · vol. 5(2) , pp. 143–149 · doi:10.1097/spc.0b013e3283460b05 · PMID:21455070 · W1964567328
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 10 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review examines the current understanding of pelvic pain mechanisms, psychological and central nervous system changes, and updated management strategies for three gynecological pain conditions in women.

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pelvic pain is a common complaint of women that is frequently poorly managed. This review considers the current understanding of the mechanisms of pain perception and the development of chronic pain in the context of three gynaecological pain conditions. Recent advances in the management of these conditions are then discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Persistent pelvic pain is associated with central changes, reflected by alterations in psychology, brain structure and function, and dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The many similarities among the conditions support the notion that chronic pain should be treated as a symptom in its own right, however, obtaining a diagnosis remains important to patients. Few new treatments have been developed recently, however, older treatments are being subjected to more rigorous testing and improvements in phenotyping should lead to better design of clinical trials. SUMMARY: Good quality, well designed clinical trials are urgently required to improve the treatment of pelvic pain in women. However, a variety of successful treatments exist and outcomes can be optimized by individualizing treatment strategies in the context of a multidisciplinary package.

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheaendometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Vulvodynia Chronic Disease Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Pain Perception Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Quality of Life Sickness Impact Profile Vulvodynia

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Cited by (10)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK