An effective way to manage persistent (chronic) pelvic pain is to work with a healthcare team. There are many things you can do to manage your persistent or chronic pelvic pain. In addition to your treatment plan, you can try practical strategies.
Learn about pain
Learn about pain, for example, where it comes from, what makes it better or worse and how it affects you physically and emotionally. This will help you take control and try different things to reduce your pain.
Stay active
Physical activity is an important part of staying healthy. Swimming, walking and mind-body practices like stretching and yoga can help you manage your pelvic pain. Your healthcare team can develop a physical activity plan that’s right for you.
Pace yourself
Pacing means doing enough physical activity to improve your pain without causing a pain flare. It’s a fine balance – and it may take time to learn your limits – but this approach will help you manage your energy and pain levels in the long term. A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can help you learn to pace yourself.
Eat well
The food you eat may influence your persistent pelvic pain. Research suggests an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce persistent pain levels.
Try to eat more: fish; lean meat; eggs; vegetables; fruit; potatoes; raw nuts and seeds; coffee and tea; extra virgin olive oil.
Try to eat less: refined sugars; red meat; processed meats; processed foods like biscuits and cakes; food preservatives; fatty acids (found in some oils).
You will also benefit from limiting your alcohol intake and drinking more water.
A dietitian can help you develop a plan, especially if you have an underlying condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or painful bladder syndrome.
Good bowel habits
Good bowel habits are important if you have persistent pelvic pain, especially if you have IBS. You can try:
eating foods high in fibre
eating breakfast
drinking plenty of water
doing regular physical activity
not straining or rushing when doing a poo.
Look after your emotional wellbeing
Persistent pelvic pain can affect your emotional wellbeing. It can cause stress, anxiety, depression, problems with sleep, sexual dysfunction and strained relationships. Stress can make your pain worse, so it’s important to try different strategies to look after your emotional health – with help from a counsellor or psychologist if needed.
Sleep
It can be hard to get a good night’s sleep when you have persistent pelvic pain, but there are practical things you can do to improve your sleep and quality of life. For example:
cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) – your doctor, psychologist or sleep specialist can give you more information
relaxation strategies
good sleep habits
melatonin supplements (talk to your doctor first).
Relationships
Persistent pelvic pain can make you feel emotionally drained and withdrawn. It’s important to seek support from people close to you. It can be helpful to talk to your friends or family about your pain, and find ways to connect that work for you.
Practical ways to manage your pain
There are many practical things you can do to help manage your pain. For example, try:
heat packs
massage therapy
breathing exercises
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
When to see your doctor
If you have persistent pelvic pain, it’s important to see your doctor. It can take some time to diagnose persistent pelvic pain. It might also take time to learn how to manage it, with help from your healthcare team.
For more information, resources and references, visit the Jean Hailes Persistent Pelvic Pain web page.
Created May 2023
Disclaimer: This information does not replace medical advice. If you are worried about your health, talk to your doctor or healthcare team.
We write health information for people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. We use the term 'women', but we acknowledge that this term is not inclusive of all people who may use our content.
© Jean Hailes for Women’s Health 2023
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government.
