Survey study, 1994
How are irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain related?
They often occur together and share similar psychological causes like depression and childhood trauma. IBS symptoms get worse during menstruation and worsen pain outcomes after surgery.
What they did
Literature review examining the association between irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain, including how symptoms change with the menstrual cycle and shared psychological factors.
What they found
IBS is often associated with chronic pelvic pain. IBS symptoms worsen during menstruation and are correlated with increased menstrual symptoms. Psychosocial factors including depression, somatization, substance abuse, and childhood abuse are similar in both conditions. IBS predisposes women to undergo hysterectomy and negatively influences pain improvement after surgery.
What it means for you
If you have chronic pelvic pain, your doctor should consider IBS as a possible cause because they often occur together and share similar risk factors. Managing both conditions may require specialists from both gynecology and gastroenterology. This is a review of existing evidence, not new research from a study.
About the study
- Original title
- Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain
- Authors
- Longstreth GF
- Journal
- Obstetrical & gynecological survey
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006254-199407000-00027
Topics
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