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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffChronic pelvic pain refers to pain in your pelvic region — below your bellybutton and between your hips — lasting six months or longer. If asked to locate your pain, you might sweep your hand over that entire area rather than point to one spot. Chronic pelvic pain can be a symptom of another disease, or it can be designated as a condition in its own right.
The cause of chronic pelvic pain is often hard to find. Like many women, you may never receive a specific diagnosis that explains your pain. But that doesn't mean your pain isn't real and treatable.
If the source of your chronic pelvic pain is found, treatment focuses on that cause. If no cause can be found, treatment for chronic pelvic pain focuses on managing the pain.
- Chronic pelvic pain. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/033.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. International Pain Society. http://www.pelvicpain.org/pdf/Patients/CPP_Pt_Ed_Booklet.pdf. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Pelvic pain. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp099.cfm. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Evaluation of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=10940&nbr=5720&string=. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2009.
