Urethral syndrome presenting as chronic pelvic pain

Abstract

AbstractWe present and characterize eight patients who were referred for gynaecologic evaluation of chronic pelvic pain but were found to have their symptoms resulting from urethral syndrome secondary to chronic urethritis. All patients complained of chronic lower abdominal pain, dyspareunia and in some instances vulvar burning. Length of symptoms ranged from 7 months to 6 years. All patients had been treated in the past for vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and/or urinary tract infections with no resolution of symptoms. When questioned specifically, all patients related a history of postcoital voiding dysfunction. Initial pelvic examination revealed urethral and subtrigonal tenderness. All patients then underwent a standard detailed urogynaecologic evaluation. The history, voiding diary and pelvic examination confirmed the initial findings. Urine cultures were all negative. Cystourethroscopy revealed findings of urethral erythema, exudate and cystic inclusions in the urethral wall. Al...