Pain Education Makes a Difference
Pain education helps manage pain and improve quality of life
WHY IS EDUCATION ABOUT PELVIC PAIN NEEDED?
Chronic pelvic pain can be life‑changing. It may make it hard to work, stay active, or enjoy relationships and social activities. Pelvic pain is also complicated—it can come from more than one cause at the same time—and many people do not have access to clinicians who specialize in treating pelvic pain.
It is common for people with ongoing pain to worry that something serious is being missed, such as an infection or cancer. While those concerns are understandable, they are rarely the cause of chronic pelvic pain. More often, chronic pelvic pain comes from conditions that are less well known, such as muscle pain or nerve pain. Some causes are specific to people with female reproductive organs, including endometriosis, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and vulvodynia.
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce pelvic pain and improve quality of life. Learning about pain helps you better understand what is happening in your body, communicate more clearly with your healthcare team, and take an active role in your care.
Because education is so important, in 2019 the US Department of Health and Human Services emphasized that pain education is essential for improving pain treatment and making sure care is focused on the patient’s needs.
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DHHS, May 2019
Below, you will find some basic information about chronic pelvic pain. If you are interested in learning more, complete the entire educational module that is composed of videos, frequently asked questions and resources. All you have to do is to browse the above menu to embark on a journey of healing and make a major difference in your life.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN
About 1 out of 10 women in the United States have chronic pelvic pain. More than 16 million women have persistent pelvic pain.
Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by many conditions.
4 out of 10 people with chronic pelvic pain have more than one cause.
Untreated pelvic pain can have many negative consequences, such as problems with sleeping, fatigue, memory, concentration, physical activity, and social relationships. It can also cause anxiety and depression.
There are many options for treatment that can improve quality of life. Treatment often requires multiple interventions over time.
References: As-Sanie S, Ross WT, Till SR. Evaluation and treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Obstet Gynecol, 2026; 147(1):21-43. doi.10.1097/AOG.0000000000006123.
Lamvu G, Carrillo J, Ouyang C, Rapkin A. Chronic pelvic pain in women: A review. JAMA, 2021 ; 325(23):2381-2391. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.2631.