Study objective: To assess the presence of and quantify pelvic pain in a group of women without demonstrable pelvic pathology as confirmed by laparoscopy.
Design: Prospective observational study (Canadian Task force classification II-2).
Setting: District general hospital.
Patients: One hundred forty-three consecutive women undergoing laparoscopy for sterilization, infertility investigation, or assessment of pelvic pain.
Intervention: Laparoscopy.
Measurements and main results: Women were asked to complete a questionnaire including a visual analog score for four different types of pelvic pain (dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, rectal pain) and three quality of life assessments. Forty-three women were excluded due to pelvic pathology. In the 100 remaining women, mean pain scores (maximum 10) were dysmenorrhea 3.77, pelvic pain 1.75, dyspareunia 1.54, and rectal pain 1.07. Quality of life assessment was no different from that in a healthy population in whom the instruments were validated.
Conclusion: Pelvic pain, principally dysmenorrhea, is common in women of reproductive age. Pain scores may be used to compare treatments for pelvic pain and provide useful information for preoperative counseling.