A Retrospective Study on Chronic Pelvic Pain Treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined Therapy: 179 Cases (2016–2018)

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate clinical efficiency and side effects of combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine in female treating chronic pelvic pain. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by analyzing 179 patients with chronic pelvic pain. They were divided into the 3-course group and the 1-course group. Patients in the 3-course group received combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine 10 days per menstrual cycle for three months, while the 1-course group received the same combined therapy for only one menstrual cycle. VAS scores of five kinds of pain were compared between the two groups. Meanwhile, SF-36 scores, menstruation, leucorrhea and major accompanying symptoms were analyzed. To assess side effects of the combined therapy, safety indices were recorded before and after treatment as well. RESULTS: VAS scores of patients in the 3-course group after treatment were significantly lower than that before the treatment. Total scores of SF-36 were significantly improved after the treatment, and persistently improved even after the discontinuation of the treatment. The menstrual and leucorrhea condition improved as well after the treatment. In addition, among the concomitant symptoms, insomnia, loss of appetite, mental fatigue symptoms were significantly improved after the treatment. More importantly, significances were observed in the improvement of most VAS scores between patients who underwent a 1-course treatment and patients with a 3-course treatment. Meanwhile, no significant change was observed in safety indices before and after treatment. Possible adverse events related to the treatment plan for all enrolled patients included mild skin rash in 16 patients, stomachache in 3 patients after taking medicine on an empty stomach, and oral ulcer in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine alleviated symptoms of chronic pelvic pain, soothed the accompanying symptoms, and hence helped to improve the life quality of women.