Sex and chronic pelvic pain was one of the things people talked about, at a workshop to discuss which treatment outcomes mattered to them. @sally_crowe tells the story.
Members of the International Pelvic Pain Partnership
During a sultry June weekend in 2015, forty three people came together to talk about what matters to people living with chronic pelvic pain. I co-facilitated the workshop, which was taking place at the second World Congress on Abdominal and Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) in Nice, France. Of the 43 participants, 21 were women living with chronic pelvic pain (with different causes and conditions), 17 were health professionals and/or researchers, and helping with the practicalities were two volunteers from the UK Pelvic Pain Support Network. There were three observers from the workshop sponsor, Grunenthal. The workshop was the co-production of the International Pelvic Pain Partnership (details at the end of this blog) and enthusiastic clinician researchers from Edinburgh, Birmingham, South Tees and Oxford, and everyone was there in a voluntary capacity.
Agreeing what’s important
The aim of the workshop was to explore and discuss outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. for day to day treatments for CPP, self management and researchThe term research means different things to different people, but is essentially about finding out new knowledge that could lead to changes to treatments, policies or care.; including patient reported outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. (PRO) and core outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. sets (COS). We worked in small and large groups, refining outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. areas and working towards prioritization of outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. that both patients and health professionals/researchers could agree were important to measure in CPP treatmentSomething done with the aim of improving health or relieving suffering. For example, medicines, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, diet and exercise changes., care and researchThe term research means different things to different people, but is essentially about finding out new knowledge that could lead to changes to treatments, policies or care.. The results of the discussion were framed in four categories of outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’.; high consensus, moderate consensus, some consensus and suggestions for new outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. areas.
The outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. with high consensus were quality of life, psychological and fatigue. In the next category of moderate consensus and at number 7 was sexual activity, nestled in with social activities, pain and adverse effects of treatments. Reflecting on these results one is left with feeling that it is easy to make assumptions about what outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. matter to people living with chronic conditions. Many readers may have assumed that pain would be a top outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. and that sexual activity could be considered a minor outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’., not so on both counts…..
Enabling ‘difficult’ discussions
Using cards to help discussion about outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’.
What was also striking about the day was the relative ease with which participants talked about sex. An intention of the day was to create an atmosphere in the room that was relaxed, productive and respectful between participants, so that ‘difficult’ discussions could be had, and diverse opinions and experiences heard, and tolerated.
Groups were also encouraged to think about and discuss the wording of the outcomesOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. under focus, and this generated some fascinating insights, not least around sex. Sexual activity and function (which seemed the common parlance in the professionals) quickly developed into broader definitions of sexual health, sexuality and intimacy, sexual relationships and sexual orientation. Fertility was discussed as a separate outcomeOutcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’.. It was acknowledged that sex is a personal affair and what might be important for one person may not matter to others (cue much laughter!).
Eventually the group suggested a general rewording of ‘sexual activity’ to ‘sexuality and relationships’ to embrace the emotional and relational aspect of sex, and reduce the inference that sexual activity/function is a ‘mechanical’ process. It was astounding how much some participants were able to share about sex and chronic pelvic pain, and also heartening to see the respect accorded them in doing so. There was also much laughter in the room and whilst this seemed to help smooth the dialogue, it also highlighted the nervousness with which we approach talking about sex.
Let’s not sideline talk about sex
My work with other groups of people with chronic, life- long and life limiting conditions suggests that sex can be an important part of self identity, self worth and quality of life. Indeed in one of the very first James Lind Alliance research Priority Setting Partnerships in Schizophrenia the relationship between sex and side effects of anti psychotic drugs was number 4 in the top ten research priorities.
So let’s not sideline talk about sex, either in treatmentSomething done with the aim of improving health or relieving suffering. For example, medicines, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, diet and exercise changes., care or researchThe term research means different things to different people, but is essentially about finding out new knowledge that could lead to changes to treatments, policies or care.. It is entirely possible and profitable to encourage discussion and debate that leads to better shared understandings that can inform health treatments, care and researchThe term research means different things to different people, but is essentially about finding out new knowledge that could lead to changes to treatments, policies or care..
Disclosure statement: Sally Crowe reports other from Pelvic Pain Support Network, outside the submitted work.
This guest blog is one in a special series of blogs on #theproblemwithsex . Read more blogs from the campaign here.
Additional information
Crowe S, Birch J, Merriman J, Horne A, Daniels J, Hughes J, Meijlink J, Al-Abbadey M, Neustadt K. Report of a workshop: patient and professional perspectives of chronic pelvic pain. Workshop held as part of the Second World Congress on Abdominal and Pelvic Pain in Nice, France, 11th to 13th June, 2015. Available from: https://www.pelvicpain.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CPP-workshop-Report-Nice-2015-Sept-2015.pdf
Information about International Pelvic Pain Partnership
“The International Pelvic Pain Partnership is committed to substantially improving education, early and accurate diagnosis, effective treatmentSomething done with the aim of improving health or relieving suffering. For example, medicines, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, diet and exercise changes./management, and realistic prognosis for neuropathic chronic and visceral pelvic and perineal pain. We intend to increase the participation of the International Pelvic Pain Partnership in researchThe term research means different things to different people, but is essentially about finding out new knowledge that could lead to changes to treatments, policies or care. and services development, so that these objectives are achieved in the next decade” For the IPPP it is all about expert patients talking and working with specialist clinicians.
Partner organizations include:
Pelvic Pain Support Network (UK), Netherlands Interstitial Cystitis Patients’ Organization, Vulval Pain Society (UK), Endometriosis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. of Ireland, AFCI (AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. Francaise de la Cystite Interstitielle), MICA (Multi- national IC AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other.), International Painful Bladder Foundation, Associazione Italiana Endometriosi, ACACi (Spain Interstitial Cystitis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other.), AEAP-NP (Spanish AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. for Pelvi-Perineal pain), Endometriosis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. Iceland, Endometriosis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. Norway, Endometriosis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other. Netherlands, AICI (Italy Interstitial Cystitis AssociationA relationship between two characteristics, such that as one changes, the other changes in a predictable way. For example, statistics demonstrate that there is an association between smoking and lung cancer. In a positive association, one quantity increases as the other one increases (as with smoking and lung cancer). In a negative association, an increase in one quantity corresponds to a decrease in the other. Association does not necessarily mean that one thing causes the other.)