Laparoscopic and cystopic findings in patients with chronic pelvic pain in Eshowe, South Africa

Abstract

Forty two Zulu women who reported pelvic pain of more than six months duration were evaluated using laparoscopy and cystoscopy. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (57 pc) and pelvic adhesions (12 pc) involving the reproductive organs were the most common pathologies found. An interesting associated finding was a very high incidence (21.5 pc) of schistosomiasis. We are not able to find any pelvic pathology in only 14.4 pc of patients. This study confirms the opinion that chronic pelvic pain is usually associated with organic pathology.