Any physician who sees men or women for signs or symptoms presenting below the umbilicus would appreciate this comprehensive text in which multiple subspecialists share their perspective with respect to organ-specific disorders as well as the myriad overlapping syndromes that may manifest as genitourinary (GU) inflammation or pain. Unlike other fields, the subspecialty of pain, particularly genitourinary or pelvic pain, suffers from the lack of objective data and the paucity of level 1 evidence-based studies. I recall an article about fibromyalgia read many years ago, in which the author stated, “the lack of level 1 evidence places a premium on the physician’s creativity.” Genitourinary Pain and Inflammation: Diagnosis and Management is a compilation of expert creativity and opinion based on critical review of the literature, consensus reports, and the authors’ professional experiences. Inflammation and pain caused by infectious etiologies are presented by experts in urological and gastrointestinal fields. Pain syndromes specific to the pelvic floor or genitourinary system are discussed from several perspectives: gynecology, rheumatology, urology, physical medicine, and psychiatry. We also include chapters addressing iatrogenic causes of GU inflammation, such as those caused by catheters, prosthetics, radiation, or chemotherapy. Management by means of pharmacological, surgical, or alternative methods is likewise considered within the context of specific disease entities, as well as within the separate therapeutic chapters.
