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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffFiguring out what's at the root of your chronic pelvic pain often involves a process of elimination, because numerous disorders could be responsible. In addition to a detailed interview about your pain, your personal health history and your family history, your doctor may ask you to keep a journal of your symptoms.
Possible tests or exams your doctor might suggest include:
- Pelvic examination. This can reveal signs of infection, abnormal growths or tense pelvic floor muscles. Your doctor will check for areas of tenderness and changes in sensation. This pelvic examination may be more extensive than what you're used to during a routine gynecologic examination. It's important to let your doctor know if you feel any pain during this exam, especially if the pain is similar to the discomfort you've been experiencing.
- Cultures. Samples can be taken from your cervix or vagina to check for infection, including sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, herpes and gonorrhea.
- Laparoscopy. Using a thin tube attached to a small camera (laparoscope), your doctor (gynecologist) checks for abnormal tissues or signs of infection in your pelvis. This is especially useful in detecting endometriosis and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Imaging studies. Your doctor may use ultrasound, abdominal X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to help detect abnormal structures or growths.
- 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.
