Role of a symptom‐based algorithmic approach to chronic pelvic pain

C A Winkel, Craig A. Winkel
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics · 2001 · vol. 74(S1) , pp. S15–20 · doi:10.1016/s0020-7292(01)00460-x · PMID:11549395 · W1986283633
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 11 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This study presented a symptom-based algorithmic approach to chronic pelvic pain that accurately diagnosed endometriosis in 85-90% of cases, minimizing the need for surgery.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a disorder that has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. Laparoscopic diagnosis can be disappointing, and recurrence is common after surgical treatment. A symptom-based algorithmic approach to treatment of CPP is presented that is safe and cost-effective. METHODS: This approach is oriented towards making a potential clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. It relies on a structured evaluation of the patient and administration of medical therapy including GnRH agonists to selected patients. Evaluation begins with a history and physical examination; selected cases receive specific therapy. Non-responders undergo appropriate laboratory and imaging studies. If results remain negative, it is possible to make a clinical diagnosis of endometriosis and begin empiric treatment. RESULTS: Early results strongly indicate that using this approach allowed clinicians to make highly accurate diagnoses (correct in 85-90% of cases). CONCLUSION: Use of this approach will minimize the need for surgery.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Algorithms Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Chronic Disease Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (22)

Cited by (11)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK