New developments in the pharmacotherapy of neuropathic chronic pelvic pain

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common gynecologic complaint. It is defined as noncyclic, nonmenstrual pelvic pain persisting >6 months, restricted to below the umbilicus [1]. It affects approximately 15% of women in the USA and is responsible for up to 20% of gynecologic office visits and 15% of hysterectomies; therefore it is not surprising that CPP is estimated to cost the healthcare system nearly US$2 billion per year [2–4]. The current evaluation and treatment of CPP includes a multidisciplinary approach secondary to the multifactorial nature of CPP. There is rarely a single identifiable cause and, despite the fact it...