factors predisposing women to chronic pelvic pain
Last reviewed 01/2018
- a systematic review has been undertaken to evaluate factors predisposing women to chronic and recurrent pelvic pain
- with respect to dysmenorrhoea
- associated factors were:
- age < 30 years
- low body mass index
- smoking
- earlier menarche (< 12 years)
- longer cycles
- heavy menstrual flow
- nulliparity
- premenstrual syndrome
- sterilisation
- clinically suspected pelvic inflammatory disease
- sexual abuse
- psychological symptoms
- factors that were negatively associated with dysmenorrhoea
were:
- younger age at first childbirth
- exercise
- oral contraceptives
- with respect to dyspareunia - associated factors
were:
- menopause
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- sexual abuse
- anxiety
- depression
- with respect to non-cyclical pelvic
pain - associated factors were:
- drug or alcohol abuse
- miscarriage
- heavy menstrual flow
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- previous caesarean section
- pelvic pathology
- abuse
- psychological comorbidity
Reference:
- Latthe P et al. Factors predisposing women to chronic pelvic pain: systematic review. BMJ. 2006 Apr 1;332(7544):749-55.