Chronic Female Pelvic Pain
What Increases Your Risk
Factors that increase a woman's risk of developing female pelvic pain that becomes chronic include:
- Pregnancy and childbirth that have stressed the back and pelvis, including delivery of a large baby, a difficult delivery, or a forceps or vacuum delivery.
- A history of childhood or adult physical or sexual abuse. About half of women with chronic female pelvic pain report abuse in their past.1
- A history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- A history of radiation therapy or surgery of the abdomen or pelvis. (This includes some surgeries for urinary incontinence.2)
- Past or current diagnosis of depression. Pain sensation and depression seem to be interrelated.
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- Something abnormal in the structure of the uterus, cervix, or vagina.
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| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN | Last Updated: January 28, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine R. Hugh Gorwill, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Topic Overview | |
| Cause | |
| Symptoms | |
| What Happens | |
 | What Increases Your Risk |
| When To Call a Doctor | |
| Exams and Tests | |
| Treatment Overview | |
| Prevention | |
| Home Treatment | |
| Medications | |
| Surgery | |
| Other Treatment | |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| Related Information | |
| References | |
| Credits | |