Predictors of Persistent Pain After Hysterectomy for Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review

Meenal Misal, Ethan M Balk, Megan S Orlando, Charlotte Pickett, Stacy M Lenger, Anne E Porter, Sunil Balgobin, Randa J Jalloul, Diana Encalada-Soto, Mamta M Mamik, Ankita Gupta
Obstetrics and gynecology · 2025 · vol. 146(5) , pp. 690–699 · doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000006023 · PMID:40773758
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This systematic review found that younger age was associated with a higher likelihood of persistent pain after hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain, with incidences ranging widely from 12% to 68%.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 · read from full text ⓘ

This systematic review evaluated predictors of persistent pelvic pain after hysterectomy performed for chronic pelvic pain, using searches of PubMed and EMBASE through July 2, 2024 and including one RCT plus six cohort studies with risk-of-bias assessment. Across included studies, the incidence of persistent pain after hysterectomy varied widely from 12% to 68%, and younger age at hysterectomy was associated with higher likelihood of persistent pain (summary OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11–1.75). Ovarian conservation was not significantly associated with persistent pain, and endometriosis findings were mixed, with some studies showing association while others—particularly considering stage III or greater—did not. The paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reports variable associations between endometriosis status/stage and persistent pain after hysterectomy in the context of broader predictors for chronic pelvic pain.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review predictors associated with persistent pain after hysterectomy performed for individuals with chronic pelvic pain. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and EMBASE were queried from inception to July 2, 2024, searching for human subject studies investigating hysterectomy performed for chronic pelvic pain. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Double independent screening for studies of chronic pelvic pain was performed by members of the Systematic Review Group of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. We included longitudinal observational studies (prospective or retrospective) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data were extracted with risk-of-bias assessment with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tool. Extractions were reviewed by a second researcher. We conducted restricted maximum-likelihood meta-analyses of effect sizes as feasible. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: One RCT and six cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality of the studies was fair to good. The incidence of persistent pelvic pain after hysterectomy ranged widely, from 12% to 68%. Younger age was associated with increased likelihood of persistent pain after hysterectomy (summary odds ratio [OR] 1.39, 95% CI, 1.11-1.75; five studies, N=11,165). Ovarian conservation was not significantly associated with persistent pain (OR 2.04, 95% CI, 0.67-6.18; three studies). Endometriosis was variably associated with persistent pain, with two studies finding an association (summary OR 1.18, 95% CI, 1.06-1.31), whereas two other studies found that stage III or greater endometriosis was not associated with persistent pain (summary OR 0.99, 95% CI, 0.45-2.21). Multiple predictors of interest were evaluated by single studies, limiting the ability to draw aggregate conclusions. CONCLUSION: High proportions of patients undergoing hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain experience persistent postoperative pain. Although there is heterogeneity among study design and clinical factors examined and some associations should be interpreted with caution, persistent pelvic pain was associated with younger age at the time of hysterectomy. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42024530836.
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Objective

To systematically review predictors associated with persistent pain after hysterectomy performed for individuals with chronic pelvic pain. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and EMBASE were queried from inception to July 2, 2024, searching for human subject studies investigating hysterectomy performed for chronic pelvic pain.

Methods

OF STUDY SELECTION: Double independent screening for studies of chronic pelvic pain was performed by members of the Systematic Review Group of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. We included longitudinal observational studies (prospective or retrospective) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data were extracted with risk-of-bias assessment with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tool. Extractions were reviewed by a second researcher. We conducted restricted maximum-likelihood meta-analyses of effect sizes as feasible. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: One RCT and six cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality of the studies was fair to good. The incidence of persistent pelvic pain after hysterectomy ranged widely, from 12% to 68%. Younger age was associated with increased likelihood of persistent pain after hysterectomy (summary odds ratio [OR] 1.39, 95% CI, 1.11–1.75; five studies, N=11,165). Ovarian conservation was not significantly associated with persistent pain (OR 2.04, 95% CI, 0.67–6.18; three studies). Endometriosis was variably associated with persistent pain, with two studies finding an association (summary OR 1.18, 95% CI, 1.06–1.31), whereas two other studies found that stage III or greater endometriosis was not associated with persistent pain (summary OR 0.99, 95% CI, 0.45–2.21). Multiple predictors of interest were evaluated by single studies, limiting the ability to draw aggregate conclusions.

Conclusion

High proportions of patients undergoing hysterectomy for chronic pelvic pain experience persistent postoperative pain. Although there is heterogeneity among study design and clinical factors examined and some associations should be interpreted with caution, persistent pelvic pain was associated with younger age at the time of hysterectomy. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42024530836.

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Condition tags

chronic_pelvic_painendometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Pain

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