Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: Sharing Interdisciplinary Experience

Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: Sharing Interdisciplinary Experience.

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common, burdensome, and costly condition that disproportionately affects women. Touching an estimated more than 20% of people worldwide or approximately 1 in 7 women, CPP is a common problem. In one study of reproductive-aged women in primary care practices, the reported prevalence rate of pelvic pain was 39%. Of all referrals to gynecologists, 10% are for pelvic pain.

Ten percent (10%) of the world’s population – approximately 60 million people – endure chronic pain and fairly reliable estimates in individual countries and regions indicate chronic pain prevalence closer to 20-25%. Primary care facilities in Asia, Africa, Europe, and in the Americas have patients reporting persistent pain prevalence of 10-25%.  The World Health Organization
(WHO) has estimated that as many as 1 in 10 adult individuals are newly diagnosed with chronic pain each year.

In reality, the complexity of the muscular and osteopathic structures and pelvis innervation with the anatomical proximity of pelvic viscera means this condition frequently overlaps traditional medical specialties and could benefit from complementary medicine such as osteopathy, physiotherapy, or traditional Chinese medicine. A multidisciplinary approach which includes
complementary and alternative medicine techniques in managing CPP in women seems to yield the best results.
Psychosocial factors play a role in all types of pain and can affect symptom severity and prognosis. Pelvic pain and dyspareunia are more prevalent in women with a history of abuse, mental illness, lack of support, social stressors, and relationship discord. These comorbidities do not alter the visceral or neuro musculoskeletal pain generators but may worsen the associated symptom burden and psychological effects.

Women Health Open J. 2021; 7(2): 31-33. doi: 10.17140/WHOJ-7-144