Women’s Perspectives on their Experiences of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Medical Care

psychology and a consultant psychologist. She has a special interest in reproductive health issues in women. PETER STEWART, BA (Oxon), BM, BCH (Oxon), F R C O G, was consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology (CSUH Trust), and clinical director in obstetrics, gynaecology and neonatology. His main interest is in high risk pregnancy, including antenatal diagnosis and social aspects of gynaecology. T. C. LI, PhD, MRCP, MRCOG, is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Jessop Hospital for Women in Sheffield, with a special interest in fertility and recurrent miscarriage. This study aimed to explore women’s experiences of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Twenty-one interviews with women 12 to 18 months after a negative laparoscopy were conducted. A predominantly qualitative methodology was adopted. The majority of women were still experiencing pain at this time, yet few were in receipt of continuing medical care. Women’s accounts suggested that their pain continued to affect many areas of their lives, and issues including uncertainty, anxiety, and a sense of not being believed emerged. In provision of care, ways in which health professionals related to women were viewed as important, and had an impact in terms of whether or not they felt their pain had been validated. Dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of information offered by professionals was a common finding. Based on women’s accounts, implications for improving the quality of care for women with CPP are provided. Keywords medical care, pelvic pain, psychology ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to thank all of the women who took part m this study ADDRESS Correspondence should be directed t