Chronic pelvic pain refers to pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis that has been present either intermittently or constantly for at least 6 months. Chronic pelvic pain is a very common condition that is seen by health care providers as often as migraine and lower back pain. It accounts for 1 in 10 visits to Gynaecology Outpatient Clinics and is the reason for performing 15-40% of laparoscopies and 12% of hysterectomies in the United States.
Chronic pelvic pain may lead to chronic pain syndrome in which normal daily function becomes impaired, sleep is disturbed and alteration in mood (e.g. depression) may occur.