McMaster Study Identifies Early Warning Signs of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adolescence

A new study from McMaster University, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, suggests that early warning signs for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) may appear during adolescence. The research, which analyzed health administrative data of nearly half a million Ontarians, found that 28% of individuals who sought care for gynecologic or reproductive health problems as teenagers developed CPP by 10 years into adulthood, compared to 15% of those who did not. Adolescents with these early healthcare encounters were also more likely to experience gastrointestinal problems, mental health conditions, and other chronic pain.