I have persistent pelvic pain, painful sex, painful periods
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that is felt in areas related to the pelvis (eg abdomen, tailbone, vulva) that has been present for more than 3/12. Worldwide, it has been estimated that up to 1 in 4 women suffer with chronic pelvic pain, so you are not alone!
As part of the care team, Women’s Health Physiotherapists have a special skillset that can help you manage your pain. Depending on assessment findings, treatment options could include education, manual therapy, pelvic floor muscle relaxation and exercise. Physiotherapists can help you better understand your pain and how your health, sleep and exercise can improve your lifestyle with pelvic conditions.
Resources
Understanding Pain
Understanding persistent pain: how to turn down the volume on persistent pain (PDF)
Article on the relationship between pelvic floor muscles and painful intercourse (PDF)
Jean Hailes: pelvic pain resources (external site)
Pelvic pain foundation (external site)
painHEALTH UWA (external site)
Fibromyalgia self help (external site)
Pudendal Neuralgia
Endometriosis
Introduction to Pelvic Pain (PDF)
Endo Active: Endometriosis resources (external site)
Sleep
Mental Health and Sleep (external site)
CCI: Sleep and Insomnia Self-Help Resources - Information Sheets (external site)
Health Direct: Sleep (external site)
Better Health Channel: sleep Hygiene (external site)
Mental Health
This way up: Learn practical tools to take care of your mental health (external site)
Exercise
Benefits of exercise for Endo (external site)
Support Groups
My VMC: Fibromyalgia support group (external site)