Sociopsychological factors in women with chronic pelvic pain with and without pelvic venous congestion

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research 1997, Vol.42 (1), p.71-85
• Main Authors: Fry, R.P.W., Beard, R.W., Crisp, A.H., McGuigan, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Chronic Illness; Chronic pelvic pain; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Family Health; Father-Child Relations; Female; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hostility; Humans; Illness and personality; Illness, stress and coping; Linear Models; Logistic Models; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Neurotic Disorders - complications; Pain; Pelvic pain; Pelvic Pain - classification; Pelvic Pain - etiology; Pelvic Pain - physiopathology; Pelvic Pain - psychology; Pelvis - blood supply; Pelvis - physiopathology; Psychological characteristics; Psychological Factors; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychosocial factors; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Sexual abuse; Social Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Womens Health Care
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3999(96)00231-0

Social and psychological factors have long been proposed as being of importance in a sizeable subgroup of women complaining of unexplained chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The aim of this study was to examine this in two subgroups of CPP patients, thereby eliminating pain alone as the determining variable. Consecutive attenders at a clinic for CPP were assessed on a range of somatic, historical, social, and psychological variables using detailed interviews and questionnaires. They were subsequently allocated to one of two groups, based on the presence or absence of pelvic venous congestion (PVC). Significant associations emerged between some social arrangements, paternal parenting, and patterns of hostility in the group with pelvic venous congestion. The groups also differed in patterns of family illness, and the congested group tended to report more childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Clear case definition in CPP is important. In the subgroup with pelvic venous congestion early social experience may play an important role. Father-daughter relationships may be particularly relevant. Hostility patterns may influence the development of the condition. CSA does not appear to play a specific role in all unexplained CPP cases, but may have relevance for the subgroup with pelvic venous congestion.