Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is a pain in the pelvis not related to the menstrual cycle and which persists for more than six months.
Unlike acute pain, which is more likely to be associated with an identifiable pathophysiologic disorder, chronic pelvic pain is less likely to be associated with a readily identifiable cause. Because of its vague and inconsistent symptoms, chronic pelvic pain is also difficult to diagnose.
In the United States, chronic pelvic pain annually accounts for more than 80,000 hysterectomies and one-third of all laparoscopies. Although chronic pelvic pain still cannot be cured, in most cases, the family physician and the patient with chronic pelvic pain can work in a cooperative way to achieve definite improvement in symptoms.

• Premenstrual pain 
• Dysmenorrhea
• Dyspareunia
• Exercise-related pain 
• Cramping 
• Deep, unilateral, or generalized pain with or without menstrual exacerbation 

• None

Psychological factors always play a role in patients with chronic pelvic pain, especially pain that is neither easily defined nor easily treated. Chronic pain syndrome includes headaches, backaches and abdominal pain in addition to pelvic pain. These women are much more likely to have been physically and sexually abused as children and adults.
Overall, 29 percent of the pain was found to have pathologic findings at the time of laparoscopy for tubal ligation. Fibroids, a presumed cause of chronic pelvic pain and a common cause of hysterectomy, have never been proven to cause chronic pelvic pain.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also cause pelvic pain in both men and women. Women are much more likely to suffer from UTIs, however. (In fact, while men may experience pelvic pain, the symptom is almost invariably a woman's complaint.)
Another major cause of pelvic pain is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Sexually transmitted disease is the most likely cause of PID, but other types of infection may also be to blame.

A thorough history and physical exam is required to explain the source of pelvic pain. For starters, a physician will ask about every nuance of the pain: 

•  When did it start? 
•  What does it feel like? 
•  Where does it hurt? 
•  When is the pain most intense? 
•  What makes it better or worse?

• Eat a diet low in animal fats, high in vegetables
• Use soy based food products, like tofu.
• Avoid caffeine
• Increase your intake of fish.