Abdomino-pelvic pain
Causes of abdomino-pelvic pain
Gynaecological causes of abdomino-pelvic pain
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cyst
- Adhesions
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Fibroid degeneration
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Ovulation
- Cystitis
Non-gynaecological causes of abdomino-pelvic pain
Include but are not limited to:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diverticulitis
- Appendicitis
- Cholecystitis
- Adhesions
- Gastric or Duodenal ulcer
- Pancreatitis
- Bowel obstruction
- Kidney infection
- Leaking or ruptured blood vessel
- Gastroenteritis
- Strangulated hernia
Undetermined causes of abdomino-pelvic pain
Pain that persists and for which no cause can be found after appropriate investigations is called ‘undetermined.’ It is noteworthy that up to 30% of abdomino-pelvic pain resolves after laparoscopy at which no cause for the pain is found. The exact basis of this phenomenon is not known, however it might represent a placebo effect.
May need to exclude:
- Cardiac or respiratory disease
- Muscle and bone conditions
Investigation of abdomino-pelvic pain
May include but is not limited to:Treatment of abdomino-pelvic pain
It may be appropriate to use a variety of conservative treatments to manage the pain. Definitive treatment, though, must be based on a working diagnosis formulated after taking a history, performing an examination and getting the results of appropriate investigations
