Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders in Women: A Physiatrist's Approach to Epidemiology and Examination

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain is a complex diagnosis that has a significant impact on quality of life and function in women of all ages. Symptoms often span across numerous organ systems and involve several types of pain including visceral, neuropathic, musculoskeletal, and psychological, making management and treatment difficult. To adequately assess and recognize etiologies of pelvic pain, it is critical to first understand the specialized skills required for history taking and physical examination. This article aims to serve as a guide to understanding the physiatrist's approach to history taking and examination of pelvic pain.

Keywords: Chronic pelvic pain; Pelvic floor dysfunction; Pelvic floor history and examination.