Chronic pelvic pain is now endemic in our society & this unacceptable scenario is the result of general practitioners lacking specialisation in this field, underfunding by medical authorities, & insufficient research. Indeed, “a new global consensus statement issued by the International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics (FIGO), & the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), is calling for urgent action to address chronic pelvic pain (CPP), a condition affecting an estimated 25% of women worldwide” [1]. – And it is this crucial call to action that has been taken up by our world-class Pain Doctors at the London Pain Clinic
Our Pain Specialists who have undergone substantial addition training and have years of clinical expertise in Pain Conditions and Pain Management (something which the majority of GPs do not have), are always abreast of the latest cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art treatments for the full spectrum of pelvic pain conditions. – And this is why our Holistic Personalised Treatment Plans are multi-faceted, and include conventional medicine, and proven injectables and therapies. – All of which will be discussed (according to your suitability), on an in-person or online consultation with one of our leading Pain Doctors.
The Low-Down on Chronic Pelvic Pain
CPP can be described as a disabling, unrelenting, or cyclic intermittent pain emanating from the pelvis, and most commonly impacting women. Moreover, as our Pain Specialists often explain, whilst this condition is less common in men, it is prevalent when there is a clear group of overlapping comorbidities. CPP in men can comprise: “similar comorbidities, in addition to urogenital and erectile pain, retrograde ejaculation, urinary symptoms, and sexual dysfunction” [2].
Conditions Associated With Chronic Pelvic Pain
These include:
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic central pain syndrome
- Anxiety
- Major depressive disorder
- Interstitial cystitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, and
- Dyspareunia [2]
And when it comes to women, as Director of the FIGO Benign Surgery Division, Dr Juan Villegas-Echeverri, stated: “chronic pelvic pain (CPP) profoundly affects a significant number of women globally, impacting their quality of life and posing substantial personal, familial, social, and healthcare challenges. It’s crucial for every healthcare provider and the society as a whole, to recognise and effectively address CPP, as early diagnosis & appropriate management are essential for improving patient outcomes [2]. – And here at the London Pain Clinic, we would like to stress the importance of attaining an early and accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
The Multiple Causes Behind Pelvic Pain
As our Pain Consultants regularly explain, there are numerous conditions and diseases that can cause pelvic pain. Moreover, long-term pelvic pain can involve more than one condition. The pain can begin in the urinary, reproductive or digestive system. Moreover, some forms of pelvic pain can be triggered by particular ligaments or muscles (e.g., a pulled muscle); or be due to irritated pelvic nerves. In addition, CPP could be linked to specific organs in the female reproductive system, pregnancy complications, symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle, or other conditions [3]. The latter include:
- Appendicitis
- Constipation
- Colon cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Obstruction in the intestines
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Interstitial cystitis
- Kidney stones
- Kidney infection
- UTI (urinary tract infection) [3]
References
[1]. FIGI (International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics) (2025). “FIGO–IPPS statement: an urgent call to action to address chronic pelvic pain.”
https://www.figo.org/news/figo-ipps-statement-urgent-call-action-address-chronic-pelvic-pain
[2]. Dydyk AM, Singh C, Gupta N. Chronic Pelvic Pain. 2025 May 2. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 32119472.
[3]. Mayo Clinic (2023). “Symptoms: Pelvic Pain.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/pelvic-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050898
