National survey indicates that too many women are living in pain - Research Update - Brief Article

Melpomene Journal, Spring-Summer, 2002

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, March 4, 2002 While almost all women have experienced pain with their menstrual cycle, only half have ever discussed it with their doctors, according to a recent national online survey conducted by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC). The reason: most women don't believe or don't know that doctors can do something about the pain.

Other survey findings indicate that more than three out of four women (76 percent) who experience menstrual pain say that it has affected their ability to participate in normal activities in work or personal life. Approximately 45 percent have missed out on social activities with friends; 39 percent have missed days of work or school.

"Women assume that they have to suffer from monthly pain -- that it's part of being a woman. What most women don't realize is that monthly pain may be an indication of a more serious, underlying problem, such as endometriosis," explained Amy Niles, executive director, National Women's Health Resource Center. "When women try to talk about their pain to family, friends or doctors, their pain is often considered trivial. More must be done to encourage patients to talk with their doctors to determine if their monthly pain represents a more serious condition, like endomerriosis, and to receive guidance on how to manage it."

Based on these findings, the NWHRC has developed a patient education tool, "Making the Cramp Connection," to help educate women about cramps, chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis, and to encourage women to monitor and track their period pain and symptoms. The tool also provides tips on ways to make it easier to talk about period pain with health care professionals. "Making the Cramp Connection is available by calling 1-866-FOR-ENDO.

National Women's Health Resource Center

(www.healthywoman.org)