Pelvic pain is a common problem for women. In a survey completed by 115 doctors at the recent American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) meeting, around 90% of respondents said that they see pelvic pain in their patient population, with over 70% responding that they see it often.
Despite its prevalence, because pelvic pain can have many causes, it has not been straightforward to diagnose and treat. Quoted in the AUA Daily News for the recent May 08 American Urological Association (AUA) meeting in Orlando Florida, Dr. Robert Star, Director of the Division of Kidney, Urology and Hematologic Diseases in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) spoke about urologic pelvic pain. “Years of studies have yielded insufficient insight into the etiology and pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome…..Our new Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network recognizes the need for a new strategy. Going beyond ‘one organ, one disorder,” MAPP asks specialists from different fields to look outside the bladder….for possible causes….”
MAPP centers will collaborate and look for relationships by studying natural history, pathophysiology, related illnesses and potential medications.
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