Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Pelvic Pain

Anatomical Localization Patterns

Deep or internal pelvic pain suggests etiologies including pelvic venous disorders, intraperitoneal adhesions, hydrosalpinx, chronic inflammatory disease, or cervical stenosis, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1
Perineal, vulvar, or vaginal pain points toward vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, vaginal or vulvar cysts, vulvodynia, or pelvic myofascial pain, according to the American College of Radiology 1

Gynecologic history, including endometriosis and adenomyosis, are primary gynecological causes, as noted by Praxis Medical Insights 2

For postmenopausal women with deep pelvic pain, combined transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound is the initial imaging study of choice, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1
Standard approach: Combined transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound provides anatomic overview plus high-resolution detail of uterine size, endometrial canal distension, fallopian tube dilation, ovaries, and adnexal masses, according to the American College of Radiology 1
Plain radiography has no role in evaluating chronic pelvic pain, as stated by the American College of Radiology 1