This book provides readers with a holistic approach to chronic pelvic pain which is an extremely complex condition with associated pelvic dysfunctions. This approach significantly facilitates and accelerates the clinical assessment and subsequent follow-up.

The pathophysiologic mechanisms involving the nervous system, the pelvic organs and the pelvic floor are discussed, deepening the possible implications on mind, sexuality and pelvic dysfunctions.

Evaluation and diagnosis are examined for different types of syndromes. Moreover, since the Bladder Pain Syndrome and the Interstitial Cystitis are main causes of pelvic pain, an original diagnostic approach is proposed specifically for these conditions. In order to deliver the best clinical outcomes, this new system provides a multidisciplinary approach, both in the diagnostic phase and in the therapeutic phase.

The most recent therapies for chronic pelvic pain following a multidisciplinary approach are described in detail.

Due to its practice-oriented contents, the book will greatly benefit all professionals dealing with this debilitating disease, supporting them in their daily clinical routine.

Dr. Alessandro Giammo works at the Neuro-Urology department of the CTO-Spinal Unit Hospital "Citta della salute e della Scienza" in Turin, Italy. Apart from specialization in the advanced diagnostics and treatment of functional disorders, including neurological and pelvic pain, he is also an expert on Bladder Pain Syndrome - Interstitial Cystitis. Dr. Giammo is also a coordinator of the Technical Group on Bladder Pain Syndrome - Interstitial Cystitis and he is responsible for preparing the Therapeutic Assistance Diagnostic Path (PDTA) for the BPS / IC of Piedmont Valle d'Aosta, Italy.Dr. Giammo is a member of the Executive Board of the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD) and of the Italian Continence Foundation (FIC).

Dr. Antonella Biroli is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She works at the Autonomic Dysfunctions Rehabilitation Center, Rehabilitation Unit, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin, Italy. Dr. Biroli graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Turin and then completed her specialization at the Post-graduate School of Physiatry. She has 30 years of expertise in pelvic dysfunctions, including chronic pelvic pain and has been invited as a speaker at many National and International Congresses. Dr. Biroli is the Scientific Committee Chair of the Italian Continence Foundation (FIC) and has been a member of the Executive Board of the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD) (2003 - 2015).


Foreword PART 1 - THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND PAIN 1. INTRODUCTION TO PAIN 2. Neurophysiology of visceral pain 3. Neuroinflammation and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome PART 2 - THE ORGANS, PELVIC FUNCTIONS AND PAIN 4. Chronic Pelvic Pain and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: epidemiology and classification 5. Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis 6. Bladder pain syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC): a standardized evaluation system 7. Prostate and pain 8. Vulva and pain 9. Anus and Pain: The Organic Anal Pain 10. Mind and pain - Psychotherapy and hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain 11. Microbiome and chronic pelvic pain 12. THE ROLE OF THE PELVIC FLOOR: DOES OVERACTIVITY COUNT IN CPPS? 13. How pain influences sexuality in men 14. Overactive bladder and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome PART 3 - CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME TREATMENT 15. Neuropharmacology of pain 16. Pharmacological treatment of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis 17. Botulinum toxin in chronic pelvic pain management 18. Sacral Neuromodulation: to improve pelvic pain or associated symptoms? 19. Treating the pudendal nerve: infiltrations, radiofrequency and surgery 20. Pelvic physical therapy and rehabilitation 21. The multidisciplinarity in chronic pelvic pain management