Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose. If your doctor is not able to pinpoint a specific cause for your CPP and identify a course of action to resolve it, strategies for taking care of yourself and coping with your condition will be important. Many women with CPP feel the need to learn as much as possible about their condition, to feel in control of their lives. They must often become advocates for their own healthcare, prompting their doctors to examine new causes for their symptoms and new approaches to their care. Even women fortunate to have doctors who are educated about CPP play an important part in their own recovery, observing their symptoms and educating the people around them.
Because the mind and the body are intimately connected, your psychological and emotional well-being may also help you cope with your condition.
Both sexual and non-sexual relationships may suffer when constant pain makes you irritable or depressed. It can be particularly devastating when CPP causes discord in an established romantic relationship. Chronic pain can limit a woman's sexual activity. A partner may feel rejected when a woman is unable to participate in sexual activities the couple previously enjoyed.
Communication is key. It is important to let your partner know that you also miss these aspects of your relationship. Sometimes partners feel frustrated and overwhelmed because they can't do anything to help. Or they may feel that your illness has overtaken other important aspects of your relationship. Couples counselling can help you understand each other's perspectives. It may also be helpful to bring your partner with you to some of your medical appointments.
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