gynecology and obstetrics
Female Pelvic Pain
Etiology of Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain may originate in female reproductive organs (cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes) or other structures in the abdomen (intestines, urinary tract, pelvic floor). Some gynecologic disorders (see table Some Gynecologic Causes of Pelvic Pain ) cause cyclic pelvic pain (ie, pain recurring during the same phase of the menstrual cycle). In others, pain is a unrelated to menses. Also, onset of pain (sudden or gradual) and type of pain (eg, sharp, crampy) may help identify the cause. Overall, the most common gynecologic causes of pelvic pain include Dysmenorrhea None Some Clues to Diagnosis of Pelvic Pain None Ovarian mass, sometimes with rupture or torsion Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) None Uterine Fibroids do not usually cause pain, but pain is possible if they put pressure on surrounding structures, contribute to dysmenorrhea, or degenerate. Nongynecologic disorders that can cause pelvic pain may occur in any system located in the pelvis: Gastrointestinal (eg, tumors, Constipation , Urinary (eg, Cystitis , Musculoskeletal (eg, myofascial pain, abdominal muscle strains) Vascular (rapid expansion or rupture of aortic aneurysm) 