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Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Surgery in the Elderly pp 257–268Cite as

Biology of Pain and Pathophysiology of Pelvic Pain Syndrome

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Abstract

Pain is a perplexing phenomenon. Treating a patient with chronic pain brings up many complicated questions, including: the difference between physical and emotional pain, the subjective nature of pain, and the interplay between pain and pleasure. In this chapter, we will discuss the pathologic etiologies that account for chronic pelvic pain, focusing primarily on pelvic pain in women. We will then cover the interesting and complex neuroscience and biology of pain, including central and peripheral nervous system processing of painful stimuli. Finally, we will discuss the importance of the experience of pleasure for patients who suffer from chronic pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Room 304, Smith Hall, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Pooja Lakshmin

  2. The Division of Pelvic Neuroscience, Department of Surgery, The Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA

    David A. Gordon

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  1. Pooja Lakshmin
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  2. David A. Gordon
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Correspondence to Pooja Lakshmin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pelvic NeuroScience, Department of Surgery, The Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    David A. Gordon

  2. Sinai Center for Geriatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Mark R. Katlic

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Lakshmin, P., Gordon, D.A. (2017). Biology of Pain and Pathophysiology of Pelvic Pain Syndrome. In: Gordon, D., Katlic, M. (eds) Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Pelvic Surgery in the Elderly. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6554-0_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6554-0_18

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