Pelvic Pain In Adolescents Research Articles

Pelvic pain education - A short review on pelvic pain and endometriosis educational programs for adolescents.

Persistent pelvic pain is a significant healthcare concern among adolescents; however adolescents often have poor health literacy regarding their pain. Current school curricula fail to specifically address pelvic pain and management strategies. This review aims to summarise current pelvic pain education programs in Australian and New Zealand schools. These programs have successfully strengthened the understanding of the psychosocial impact of periods and pelvic pain, instilled greater confidence in managing persistent pain and have allowed for prompt detection and treatment of pelvic pain in adolescents. An outcomes-driven, collaborative, and coordinated approach is needed to improve pelvic health educational interventions for adolescents.

031 Medical and surgical management of endometriosis in teenagers

Menstrual symptoms such as dysmenorrhea are frequently reported, both in adults as in the adolescent population. A significant number of high school students report missed school days due to menstrual symptoms. Endometriosis is associated with painful menstruation and chronic pelvic pain. It’s true prevalence in the adolescent population is unknown, although 2/3rds of laparoscopies performed for pelvic pain in adolescents show endometriosis. Before discussing treatment, it is vital that severe menstrual pain is not regarded as normal, and should warrant further medical advice (which may include ultrasound) in case it has an impact on school and social activities, to reduce diagnostic and treatment delay. Treatment of endometriosis-associated pain may be medical and/or surgical, although data in the adolescent population are scarce. First line medical treatment can be offered with NSAIDs, and where appropriate hormonal treatment such as combined oral contraceptives or progestogens. Although GnRH-analogues have shown to be effective for pain treatment, they should be used very restrictively and with great caution due to their side effects and reduction of (peak) bone mineral density. Surgical treatment can be offered in case of pain not responding to hormonal treatment, or in case large cysts or bowel/ureter obstruction is found. Laparoscopy should be performed by an experienced team, to avoid repeat surgery and its associated risks. Postoperative hormonal treatment is advised to reduce recurrence rates.

Characterization of Response to Hormonal Therapy in an Adolescent Population with Pelvic Pain

Background: There is a paucity of information regarding systematic assessment of the natural history of pelvic pain in adolescents and response to hormonal therapy. Identification of reliable predictors of treatment non-response may decrease time to effective treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis.

Dysmenorrhea in the Adolescent

As a common medical issue for adolescents both in the United States and worldwide, dysmenorrhea is a leading cause of visits to primary care providers and gynecologic specialists. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in women is highest in the adolescent population affecting 20-90% of females in this age group. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common form of dysmenorrhea and is defined as painful menstruation in the absence of pelvic pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea is explained by an underlying pathology such as endometriosis or genital tract obstruction. The differential diagnosis of dysmenorrhea includes other etiologies of pelvic pain such as gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or other gynecologic pathologies. Symptoms refractory to first and second line treatments warrant further evaluation and management. As the second most common cause of pelvic pain in adolescents after primary dysmenorrhea, endometriosis may manifest itself differently in adolescents when compared to adults. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) are first line medical management for dysmenorrhea. Hormonal agents are second line medical management though are often initiated concomitantly with NSAID therapy. Complex imaging and surgery are reserved for refractory cases of pelvic pain. This document outlines the recommended evaluation and management of adolescents with dysmenorrhea and highlights important medical advances that have contributed to treatment. This review contains 5 figures, 8 tables, and 34 references. Keywords: dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, endometriosis, menstruation, menses, Premenstrual Syndrome, tranexamic acid, menstrual suppression, menstrual disorders

The Prevalence of Endometriosis in Adolescents with Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Endometriosis is a recognized cause of pelvic pain in adolescents with menstrual symptoms that significantly affect education, activity, and social interactions. We aim to provide an updated systematic review of the prevalence of endometriosis in adolescents with pelvic pain presenting for gynecological investigation. We searched Medline, Embase, and Cinahl from 2011 to July2019. We included cohort studies of adolescents with pelvic pain undergoing gynecological investigation. Two authors independently selected studies and extracted study characteristics and prevalence data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program for cohort studies. This updated systematic review evaluated a total of 19 studies including 1243 symptomatic adolescents. In all, 648 of 1011 (64%) adolescents undergoing laparoscopy were found to have endometriosis. The prevalence ranged from 25% to 100%, with a mean prevalence of 64%. Thirteen studies including 381 participants categorized disease severity using the revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine classification. Among these, 53% of participants (201/381) had stage I, 28% (105/381) had stage II, 20% (76/381) had stage III, and 13% (49/381) had stage IV disease. The prevalence of endometriosis among adolescents with pelvic pain symptoms is high. Endometriosis is treatable, and prompt recognition will help to ensure that adolescents are signposted earlier to appropriate specialists. The management of adolescents with suspected endometriosis should be consistent with best practice guidance. Despite recommendations to increase the awareness and knowledge of endometriosis in adolescence, minimal research has followed.

Lack of Data-driven Treatment Guidelines and Wide Variation in Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Current literature lacks data-driven guidelines for surgical treatment of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with chronic pelvic pain. We hypothesized that there is a significant variation in treatment of these patients, which might be an indicator of over- or undertreatment by some providers. We completed a retrospective population-based analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to2016. We included AYA patients aged 9-25years whose primary diagnosis was adenomyosis, endometriosis, or chronic pelvic pain. Patients who might have undergone pelvic or abdominal procedures for other primary diagnoses were excluded. Trends of inpatient surgical intervention were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to determine the likelihood of undergoing an intervention, adjusted for patient demographic characteristics. A total of 13,111 AYA patients were analyzed. Median age at diagnosis was 22 (interquartile range, 20-24) years. The overall inpatient intervention rate was 5879/13111 (45.0%) (2445/5897 (18.6%) for excision/ablation, 2057/5897 (15.7%) for hysterectomy, 1239/5897 (9.5%) for diagnostic laparoscopy, and 156/5897 (1.2%) for biopsy). Rate of hysterectomy increased in the late 2000s while rates of all other interventions decreased. Patients in the northeast were less likely to undergo an intervention than patients in the rest of the country. Rates of intervention also differed according to race, insurance status, and type of hospital. There is wide variation in the use of surgical treatment for chronic pelvic pain in AYA patients across the country and between types of institutions. Of concern, the rate of hysterectomy has increased over time. There is a need for data-directed treatment guidelines for the management of AYA patients with chronic pelvic pain to ensure appropriate application of surgical treatments and expand high-value surgical care.

Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

Most adolescents will experience discomfort during menstruation. Due to normalization of dysmenorrhea, there is delay to diagnosis and treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are a first line treatment. Adolescents can safely be offered menstrual suppression with combined hormonal contraception, and progestin-only options. When the above are ineffective, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists with add back treatment can be considered. Transabdominal ultrasound is indicated when first line treatments do not improve symptoms. Endometriosis should be considered in adolescents who experience ongoing pain despite medical treatment. If laparoscopy is performed and endometriosis visualized, it should be treated with either excision or ablation. Women with endometriosis should be counselled on menstrual suppression until fertility is desired. Management of chronic pain requires the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team.

Robotic XI Excision of an Accessory and Cavitated Uterine Mass an Unusual Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

Robotic XI Excision of an Accessory and Cavitated Uterine Mass an Unusual Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

Pelvic Pain in Adolescents.

Dysmenorrhea and noncyclic pelvic pain (chronic pelvic pain) are common in adolescents. The evaluation of teens with dysmenorrhea or chronic pelvic pain is aimed to diagnose possible gynecologic conditions (endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and obstruction of the reproductive tract) and nongynecologic conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and myofascial pain). The management of chronic pelvic pain in adolescents is often more complex than in adult women because both the adolescent and her parents are counseled and addressed, and her long-term emotional and physical health, fertility, and sexuality are considered. Dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain are often associated with depression and anxiety in adolescents. Thus, psychosocial counseling plays an important role in the management of these patients. This review will present a systematic approach to the evaluation and treatment of dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain in adolescents.

Endometriosis, an everlasting challenge.

Endometriosis, an everlasting challenge.

Is the 30-item Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) suitable as a self-report health status instrument for clinical trials?

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the suitability of the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 Questionnaire (EHP-30) as a self-report health status instrument. We compared our results with those from the U.K. and the U.S. and discovered relationships between the EHP-30 and patient characteristics. The results showed that the EHP 30 questionnaire is a user-friendly self-report tool suitable for use in endometriosis-related clinical research.

Effectiveness of an extended-regimen oral contraceptive for the treatment of moderate to severe pelvic pain in adolescents

Effectiveness of an extended-regimen oral contraceptive for the treatment of moderate to severe pelvic pain in adolescents

Interstitial cystitis: A Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescents

and medical data were collected, including obesity-related comorbidities, previous and current use of hormonal contraception, sexual activity prior to surgery, sexual orientation, and whether or not they consented to and received the levonorgestrel releasing IUS. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Results: There were 26 girls eligible for this study. Two girls had the levonorgestrel releasing IUS placed before, and one after surgery due to individual medical needs. We focused our analyses on the remaining 23 girls. The mean age at the time of surgery was 17.5 years (SD 2.6); mean age at menarche 11.9 years (SD 1.7); mean BMI 51.6 (SD 6.5). Fifty-two percent (12/ 23) reported past hormonal contraception use, with the majority reporting previous use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Twenty-six percent were sexually active before surgery and 82 percent (19/23) described themselves as heterosexual. Thirty percent (7/ 23) had polycystic ovary syndrome; 26, 39, and 30 percent described symptoms of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and oligomenorrhea respectively. Ninety-one percent (21/23) of the girls consented to and received the levonorgestrel releasing IUS in the operating room at the time of their weight loss surgery. Conclusions: Severely obese adolescent females seeking bariatric surgery have high rates of menstrual problems and PCOS, and many have appropriately been prescribed COCs. Intrauterine contraception offered at the time of bariatric surgery is feasible and acceptable among severely obese adolescent females, providing both contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits.

A pilot study testing the feasibility of Japanese‐style acupuncture for endometriosis‐related pelvic pain in adolescents and young women

A pilot study testing the feasibility of Japanese‐style acupuncture for endometriosis‐related pelvic pain in adolescents and young women

Japanese-Style Acupuncture for Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain in Adolescents and Young Women: Results of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Study Objective To assess feasibility, and collect preliminary data for a subsequent randomized, sham-controlled trial to evaluate Japanese-style acupuncture for reducing chronic pelvic pain and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with endometriosis. Design Randomized, sham-controlled trial. Settings Tertiary-referral hospital. Participants Eighteen young women (13–22y) with laparoscopically-diagnosed endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain. Interventions A Japanese style of acupuncture and a sham acupuncture control. Sixteen treatments were administered over 8 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Protocol feasibility, recruitment numbers, pain not associated with menses or intercourse, and multiple HRQOL instruments including Endometriosis Health Profile, Pediatric Quality of Life, Perceived Stress, and Activity Limitation. Results Fourteen participants (out of 18 randomized) completed the study per protocol. Participants in the active acupuncture group (n = 9) experienced an average 4.8 (SD = 2.4) point reduction on a 11 point scale (62%) in pain after 4 weeks, which differed significantly from the control group's (n = 5) average reduction of 1.4 (SD = 2.1) points ( P = 0.004). Reduction in pain in the active group persisted through a 6-month assessment; however, after 4 weeks, differences between the active and control group decreased and were not statistically significant. All HRQOL measures indicated greater improvements in the active acupuncture group compared to the control; however, the majority of these trends were not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Preliminary estimates indicate that Japanese-style acupuncture may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated adjunct therapy for endometriosis-related pelvic pain in adolescents. A more definitive trial evaluating Japanese-style acupuncture in this population is both feasible and warranted.

Evaluation and Management of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents

Chronic pelvic pain is defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as noncyclic pelvic pain of at least 3 months duration or cyclic pain of 6-month duration, either of which interferes with one's normal activities of daily living. Dysmenorrhea, or painful menses, is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent and young adult females and is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school or work absenteeism. This chapter reviews the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of some of the most common causes of pelvic pain in adolescents.

Development of Protocols for Randomized Sham-Controlled Trials of Complex Treatment Interventions: Japanese Acupuncture for Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain

Very little research has been conducted in the West to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Japanese acupuncture (JA). The characteristics that define and differentiate JA from Chinese acupuncture styles add specific challenges to the operationalization of treatment protocols for use in clinical trials. To develop an ecologically valid and viable multimodal treatment intervention, including active and sham protocols, for use in a pilot randomized sham-controlled trial of a style of JA in treating endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain in adolescents and young women. A focus group format was used to systematize the diagnostic framework, operationalize the intake, design the treatment protocols, and develop a viable and effective sham acupuncture intervention using the Streitberger device and sham moxibustion. Implementation of the treatment protocol employed the manualization process to provide flexibility of treatment while assuring replicability and standardization. The Japanese Acupuncture Department at the New England School of Acupuncture in Newton, MA. Completed study visit forms indicated good compliance of study practitioners with active and sham treatment protocols. The specific JA protocols used in our pilot study were well tolerated by the adolescent girls who participated in the trial. No serious adverse events were reported by any participants. Our protocols were successful in maintaining patient blinding and minimizing differences in outcome expectations between treatment groups. Manualization provided a viable method for conforming to the interactive nature of JA treatments, yet facilitated compliance with a replicable treatment protocol. Sham controls of complex, multicomponent JA interventions pose unique challenges. The modified Streitberger needle in conjunction with sham moxibustion showed promise as a viable control in clinical trails of JA; both components of this sham protocol require further validation.

Isolated tubal torsion: a rare cause of pelvic pain at menarche. Sonographic and MR findings

Isolated torsion of the fallopian tube is a rare clinical entity, especially in adolescents and at menarche. The diagnosis is essentially made at laparoscopy or at laparotomy because of nonspecific clinical signs. We present a case of isolated tubal torsion in a 12-year-old girl a few days after menarche, highlighting the sonographic and MR findings. Both techniques demonstrated the enlarged and tortuous fallopian tube with normal ovaries and uterus, but MR was also able to characterize contained blood and absent vascular supply. Although this condition is uncommon it should be considered as a cause of acute pelvic pain in adolescents because of the possibility of salvage surgery with early diagnosis. Sonography and MRI have a complementary role in this diagnosis.

Adolescent Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain Treated with Acupuncture: Two Case Reports

Chronic pelvic pain in adolescents accounts for 10% of outpatient gynecology visits, and 70% of adolescent patients whose pelvic pain is unresponsive to initial therapy have endometriosis. To date, there has been no published research investigating the use of acupuncture for adolescents with chronic pelvic pain and/or endometriosis. This paper presents two case reports describing the impact of a course of acupuncture on adolescent girls with endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain of more than 1 year. Both patients, undergoing between 9 and 15 treatments over a 7- to 12-week period, experienced modest improvement in pain as measured by oral self-reports of pain on a scale from 1 to 10, as well as self or family-reported improvement in headaches, nausea and fatigue. No adverse effects were reported. These case reports provide preliminary evidence that acupuncture may be an acceptable and safe adjunct treatment therapy for some adolescents with endometriosis-related pelvic pain refractory to standard antiendometriosis therapies. These observations suggest that a prospective, randomized controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for this population may be warranted.

Recurrent Lower Abdominal Pain in Older Children and Adolescents: Revised Clinical Approach

Pelvic and lower abdominal pain constitutes more than 30% of the referrals to our adolescent medicine and gastroenterology clinics. These cases are responsible for numerous school absences and significant cost to the healthcare system. This article will review the most common causes of lower abdominal and pelvic pain in adolescents, diagnostic and management issues, as well as prevention.