Chronic pelvic pain has many definitions. At this time, there is no universally accepted definition of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. In 1989, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defined chronic pelvic pain as pain that had persisted for six months or longer and of such severity that it significantly impacted the ability to function in everyday life and in relationships (Steege, 1989).

Six common characteristics associated with chronic pelvic pain were: duration of 6 months or longer, incomplete relief by most previous treatments, significantly impaired function at home or work, signs of depression, pain out of proportion to pathology and altered family roles (Steege, 1989). The International Association for the Study of Pain defines chronic pelvic pain as chronic or recurrent pelvic pain that appears to have a gynecologic origin but without a definitive lesion or cause (Mersky, 1994).

Pelvic pain syndromes can be categorized as either anterior or posterior pelvic compartment syndromes.

Anterior compartment pain syndromes could include urological pelvic pain syndromes such as painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis and urethral syndrome as well as dyspareunia and its many variants.

Posterior pelvic pain syndromes are proctalgia fugax, levator ani syndrome, pelvic floor tension myalgia, coccygodynia and anismus. This nomenclature gives the indication that these are distinct conditions when in reality there is much overlap of the symptoms and the disorders have much in common.

Pelvic Pain Syndromes

Rectal Pain

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