Pain sensitivity of and pain radiation from the internal female genital organs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and the localization of pain from the internal female genital organs. In 28 women undergoing a ring sterilization, the internal genital organs were pinched with a 3 mm forceps and the pain sensitivity and localization were recorded. Pain localization was vague, and pinching of the medial and distal end of the oviduct, or of the anterior, posterior or left or right uterosacral ligament could not be discriminated. The sensitivity of the pouch of Douglas and of the uterosacrals was greater than of the oviduct, uterus or ovaries. Small typical endometriotic lesions were specifically more painful. The pain from the uterus was felt mainly in the hypogastric region. The oviducts and ovaries radiated mainly to the iliac fossa, whereas pain stimulation of the uterosacrals and pouch of Douglas was felt predominantly in the perineal-perivulvar-perianal region. Radiation to the lower back was rare and never occurred in isolation.