Knowledge Bank

Chronic urological pain, while not life-threatening, severely impacts a patient’s physical and psychological health. Chronic urological pain (CUP) results from conditions such as Interstitial Cystitis, Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Vulvodynia, and Chronic Orchialgia. These conditions result in pain or discomfort in the pelvic region for longer than 3 months and are accompanied by urinary frequency and urgency. CUP can be difficult to diagnose and treat due to a limited understanding of patient risk factors and effective treatment options. Some studies suggest psychological stress may increase patient pain perceptions and may have an impact on who develops chronic urological pain. It is becoming increasingly apparent that physiological factors alone are insufficient in addressing patient symptoms. This paper identifies factors related to a patient’s psychosocial needs and links them to their pain experience. This paper highlights the interconnectedness of physical and social experience to chronic urological pain. After reviewing the literature, recommendations are made to improve treatment plans and further research in chronic urological pain.