Self-management Program in Chronic Pelvic Pain

Self-management Intervention for Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic pelvic pain is a serious health condition with an estimated prevalence of 15% women worldwide.Treatment is a challenge given the different pain generators described. It is important to develop self-management interventions to reduce the frustration associated with its management.

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as non-cyclic pain lasting for 6 or more months, that localizes to the anatomic pelvis, anterior abdominal wall at or below the umbilicus, the lumbosacral back, or the buttocks and is of sufficient severity to cause functional disability or lead to medical care. It can occur continuously or intermittently, with intensity severe enough to limit activities of daily living. It is frequent in women. The primary aim of this study isto evaluate the efficacy of a self-management intervention, as compared with an educational booklet in improving health-related quality of life and coping strategies, occupational performance, activity level and psycho-emotional symptoms in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain with at least 6 months of evolution

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active urogenital infection
• Pregnancy
• Cancer
• Dementia
• A surgical intervention involving lumbo-pelvic region over the past year