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Chapter 4 - Psychological Assessment of a Female Patient with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2021

By
Dean A. Tripp ,
Katherine M. Fretz  and
J. Curtis Nickel
Edited by
Michael Hibner
Michael Hibner
Affiliation:
St Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
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Summary

Patients with pelvic pain are often told that their pain is “all in their head.” In many years of seeing patients for pelvic pain I have never seen one who did not have an organic reason for pain. Often patients with chronic pain, especially pelvic pain, may develop secondary depression and anxiety but neither of these conditions alone is responsible for their pain. Patients who are unable to have intercourse because of pain fear loss of the partner and become especially anxious. Additionally, because of the very personal nature of their pain they are often not able to discuss their condition with any friends or family members. It is very important to believe that the patient’s pain is real and not voice any doubts, especially in the presence of a partner. Treatment of coexisting psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression it is very important in patients with pelvic pain.

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Chapter
Information
Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain
A Practical Manual
 , pp. 23 - 32
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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