Musculoskeletal and Pelvic Floor Health in Female Chronic Overlapping Pelvic Pain Conditions (The MSK-PELVIC Study)
Loyola University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to learn about nerve function and pelvic muscle function. To do this we will compare the pelvic nerve and muscle function of women with chronic pelvic pain to those who do not have chronic pelvic pain. Understanding the pain may lead to better treatments in the future.
Description
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) may affect up to a quarter of all women. Traditionally, CPP has been thought to be driven by visceral pain mechanisms such as Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and endometriosis. It is also established that these visceral pain conditions overlap with vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety. More recently, underlying pelvic floor myofascial (PFMP) and dyssynergia have been identified as additional overlapping CPP conditions. Prior work suggests PFMP may be a viscero-somatic response, however, PFMP as a com…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–80 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Female sex * Age 21 to 80 years * Symptoms of CPP as defined by the American College of Obstetrics \& Gynecology (ACOG) for more than 6 months * At least two of seven overlapping CPP diagnosis (i.e., IC/PBS, IBS, Endometriosis, Vulvodynia, PN, FM, PFMP) * An average CPP pain score of at least three on a 10 point pain scale Exclusion Criteria: * Current or history of GI or GU pelvic cancer * Current pelvic infection (e.g., a UTI or vaginal infection) * Current or imminent planned pregnancy or recent delivery in the last 6 months * Abdominal or pelvic surgery in the last…
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestTone
Tone is a binary measurement of the pelvic floor muscle on physical examination
- Diagnostic TestTenderness
Tenderness is a binary measurement of the pelvic floor muscle on physical examination
- Diagnostic TestContraction
Contraction is a binary measurement of the pelvic floor muscle on physical examination
- Diagnostic TestRelaxation
Relaxation is a binary measurement of the pelvic floor muscle on physical examination
- Diagnostic TestElectromyography
Electromyography is a measurement of the pelvic floor muscle in microvolts
- Diagnostic TestTransperineal
Transperineal measurements (in millimeters) of the pelvic floor muscle using an ultrasound
Location
- Loyola Medical CenterMaywood, Illinois