Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the pelvic area (below your belly button and above your hips) which lasts 6 months or longer and is affecting your quality of life.  It affects 15-20% of women of reproductive age. Chronic pelvic pain can be intermittent or constant and it may present as a dull ache or it can be sharp.  There may be a pattern to when chronic pelvic pain develops if its related to menstruation (monthly period/menses), it may occur before or after eating (postprandial), whilst passing urine, or maybe during sexual intercourse.  Chronic pelvic pain is difficult to diagnose, treat and cure and so is a frustrating symptom for patient and doctor.