The evaluation of chronic pelvic pain begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Women also require a pelvic examination.

Physical findings in women with chronic pelvic pain may include:

• Abdominal tenderness:
• Lower abdominal tenderness
• Pelvic tenderness
• Enlarged uterus
• Enlarged ovary
• Cervical tenderness on pelvic exam
• Signs of anemia:
• Pale skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid breathing rate
• Abnormally low blood pressure upon standing

Usually, there are few physical findings in men with chronic pelvic pain.

Physical findings in men with chronic pelvic pain may include:

• Lump on the prostate
• Swollen prostate
• Tender prostate gland on digital rectal examination

Testing is usually required to determine the underlying cause for chronic pelvic pain.

Tests that may be used to evaluate chronic pelvic pain in women include:

• Pelvic ultrasound:
• Looks for abnormal ovaries and tumors
• Serum pregnancy test
• Serum progesterone level
• Serum estrogen level
• Complete blood count
• Coagulation profile
• PAP smear
• Urinalysis

Less commonly used tests that may be used to evaluate chronic pelvic pain in women include:

• Laparoscopy
• CT scanning of the pelvis
• Anoscopy
• Colonoscopy:
• Allows a doctor to look inside, take tissue specimens, and remove any questionable growths or polyps.
• Sigmoidoscopy:
• Allows a doctor to look inside, take tissue specimens, and remove any questionable growths or polyps.

Tests that may be used to evaluate chronic pelvic pain in men include:

• Prostate specific antigen blood test
• Bone scan:
• Normal bone scan
• Bone scan showing cancer
• Ultrasound of the prostate
• CT scan of the pelvis
• Prostate biopsy

Less commonly used tests that may be used to evaluate chronic pelvic pain in men include:

• Anoscopy
• Colonoscopy:
• Allows a doctor to look inside, take tissue specimens, and remove any questionable growths or polyps.
• Sigmoidoscopy:
• Allows a doctor to look inside, take tissue specimens, and remove any questionable growths or polyps.