Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain.

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder diagnosed by characteristic symptoms. It is often associated with gynecologic symptoms, especially chronic pelvic pain (CPP). IBS symptoms worsen during menstruation and are correlated with increased levels of various perimenstrual symptoms. Psychosocial factors including depression, somatization, substance abuse, and childhood abuse are similar in IBS and CPP. IBS predisposes women to undergo hysterectomy and negatively influences pain improvement postoperatively. Therefore, IBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CPP. Collaboration between gynecologists and gastroenterologists is needed in the care of women with CPP and IBS as well as in the conduct of additional research on the relationship of these two disorders.