Revolutionizing gynecologic pain management: Exploring modern trends and innovations

• Author Details:   
• Vinaya Vijayan
• Madhumita Jeyalalitha Rajendran
• Rajkumar Krishnan Vasanthi
• Challaraj Emmanuel E S
• Muthu Prasanna
• John Abraham
• Sovan Bagchi ^*

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Gynecologic pain management remains a neglected aspect of women's healthcare despite significant advancements in obstetrics. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), affecting 7 to 24% of the population, leads to diminished quality of life and substantial healthcare costs. Identifiable biological conditions account for some cases of CPP, but when the cause is elusive, it poses challenges for patients and clinicians. Neuropelveology, an interdisciplinary approach to identifying pelvic nerve pathologies, offers insights into CPP beyond gynecology. Neuropathic pelvic pain, characterized by sensory nerve dysfunction, presents diagnostic challenges due to its diverse manifestations and overlaps with other abdominal/pelvic pain conditions. Clinical examination remains crucial for accurate diagnosis, surpassing reliance on imaging techniques. Management often involves multidisciplinary strategies, including centrally-acting neuromodulator medications. This review encompasses various gynecologic conditions contributing to pelvic pain, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, fibroid pain, ovarian cysts, vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, and pelvic organ prolapse. It emphasizes the importance of gynecological examinations in promptly identifying and managing these conditions, aiming to improve women's reproductive health risks and quality of life. It discusses fertility treatments, STI screening, menstrual disorders, and gynecological surgeries, providing comprehensive insights into women's healthcare needs.