Interventional therapies for controlling pelvic pain: what is the evidence?

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) has many potential causes and is often a complex disorder with multiple contributing etiologies. The evaluation and treatment of women with CPP often requires a multidimensional approach. The treatment of CPP consists of two approaches: 1) treatment of pain itself or global treatment, and 2) treatment of disease-specific etiologies. Most often, treatment requires a combination of both approaches. This article reviews recent literature in the global treatment of CPP, including pharmacologic, psychotherapy, and neuroablative, as well as specific interventions for endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, pelvic adhesive disease, adenomyosis, and pelvic venous congestion.