Chapter 14 - Chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia

Summary

This chapter presents the definition, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia. The most common causes of CPP are gastrointestinal. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and diverticulitis, all can cause chronic pelvic pain. Women with high stress levels have two times the risk of dysmenorrhea. A higher risk of suffering dysmenorrhea occurs in women who are overweight. Women with dyspareunia had higher pain scores and higher levels of psychological distress, low levels of marital adjustment and more problems with sexual function. Treatment of dyspareunia is based on one of the three types: insertional dyspareunia, pain in a specific location, and pain with deep penetration. Pain associated with menopausal disorders and sexual relations is common and often the presenting complaint to the physician. The case of dyspareunia may be difficult to discover but an organized approach including psychological expectations may produce improvement.