Nottingham connected
Faith & Spirituality
21
ARE YOU A SILENT SUFFERER OF PELVIC PAIN?
UK based charity Pain Concern is helping abolish the
stigma attached to pelvic pain.
An estimated 1 in 7 women will suffer genitourinary
or pelvic pain at some point during their lifetime.
The type and severity of pain varies from woman to
woman but the general definition of pelvic pain is
anything ‘...below the belly-button and above the
legs.’. There are many common causes of pelvic pain
(including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease
and irritable bowel syndrome) as well as less common
causes like vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis. Pain
caused by these conditions is considered ‘chronic’
when persistent for 6 months or longer.
Chronic sufferers often find that severe pain interrupts
sleep, affects work life and lowers living quality. A 2010
analysis by endwomenspain.org reviewed several
studies addressing chronic pelvic pain and found
that patients suffering interstitial cystitis reported
significant sleep dysfunction, depression, stress
and anxiety compared to non-sufferers. Sufferers
of vulvodynia experienced increased psychological
impairment as well as decreased life quality and
feelings of lowered control over their lives’ and bodies.
Despite its prevalence, for many sufferers chronic pelvic
pain remains a relatively under-discussed 'taboo'; the
same analysis by endwomenspain.org reported that
women suffering vulvodynia also experienced ‘social
isolation’ and ‘stigma’. The lack of discussion around
genital disorders currently happening in society has
left individuals feeling unable to seek social support.
Less than 25 percent of women reported that they felt
comfortable disclosing they suffer vulvodynia to their
closest friends, and many who suffered interstitial
cystitis reported having perceived lower levels of
social support compared to non-sufferers.
Not seeking social support for fear of being stigmatised
has limited the understanding, discussion and visibility
given to pelvic pain in society. A 2016 study by Julie
Aste cites pelvic pain’s ‘invisibility’ in society as a main
factor leading to undiagnosed sufferers being unable
to recognise, believe or understand their pain and
seek treatment. Unfortunately, for those who do get
a diagnoses, the perceived stigma prevents women
from seeking additional medical care that would help
alleviate symptoms and offer guidance and support
UK based charity Pain Concern is helping to abolish
this stigma attached to pelvic pain. By engaging in
frank discussions about chronic pain, Pain Concern's
radio show Airing Pain provides transparent
information and support to sufferers. The podcasts
contain interviews with healthcare specialists and
people living with chronic conditions, who share their
patient journeys from diagnosis to the present day
and offer advice on pain management.
Two of Airing Pain's podcast's focus on vulvodynia and
interstitial cystitis ( 'painful bladder syndrome'). And
you can listen to them FOR FREE at painconcern.org.
uk/airing pain.