http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/21204/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/17611/ 1998-05-13T00:00:00Z Chronic lower abdominal pain of unknown origin in women has intrigued many investigators. It is the gynecologist in particular to whom patients with this syndrome address for relief. AB a matter of fact not less than approximately 10% of patients visiting gynaecologists do so in cOlmection with CPP (I). Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as a more or less continuous pain in the lower abdomen of unknown cause that has lasted for at least 6 months (2-5). Deep dyspareunia and radiation of pain to the lower back may also be present. Approximately 37% of women with CPP furthennore have urinary urgency although the results of urological exatninations are nonnal (see section II) (6). Although most studies on CPP have been carried out on women of feltile age, there are indications that this syndrome is not specifically reslIicted to patients in that age group. In a SlIldy involving 60 consecutive cases of CPP of all ages, 43% of the women hmled out to be 50 years or older (mean: 48; median: 48; range: 23-79 years) (see section II) (6,7). Different concepts about the origin of CPP have resulted in a wide variety of natnes given to tllis clinical feahrre (8), dependent on the diagnostic approach of the physician consulted by the patient (9)