A Testimonial : The torment of chronic pelvic pain consumed significant intervals of time that should have been spent with family and friends. My hope for serenity and joy began to evaporate as I assessed the overpriced toll my disease has cost my loved ones and me. Until one day when I awoke with a moment of clarity that no one should have to bear this much pain for so long. It was time for a proactive response so I – and countless others – could reclaim our lives.

The first step was to create my website. A place where I could “be an advocate, a voice, and an answer of hope for the millions of men and women who suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain.” Eventually I developed “The Pelvic Messenger.” A weekly podcast that provides cutting edge insight from medical and social experts along with personal accounts from those who know firsthand the anguish and sacrifice of this dreaded disease. While my epiphany for a change in the status quo has made a difference – there is still so much more that is required. What is needed, right now, is a substantial grassroots effort to encourage the medical world to start taking responsibility for their lack in education in this area.

The International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) has the information.

The Facts : Thirty million people in the US alone suffer from CPP – worldwide that number increases to 60 million. Sadly, there are just over 500 doctors and healthcare providers who truly understand the mystery of chronic pelvic pain and are willing to take up the challenge to cultivate a method of treatment. That means – on average – there is only one medical professional for every 12 thousand people afflicted with CPP. The odds are against them and us. To combat this inequity we must arm all medical providers with the knowledge of where to send patients and what resources they should be given. The IPPS is not blinded by being focused on one, sole diagnosis. Their members are fearless, strong and compassionate professionals who work in the medical field.

To this end, I ask that you listen to Dr. Fred Howard’s interview from “The Pelvic Messenger” (which aired June 5, 2012). During this interview you will listen to the story of how the IPPS was founded, and how far it has come from its small beginnings.

You will want your own Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapists, and Holistic Practitioners to join the IPPS. By doing this you are being the best advocate you can be and you will help spread awareness toward the goal of a substantive difference in our community. If you have an Integrative practitioner that is treating you, please encourage them to join. The IPPS has had numerous scientific presentations of how mind-body therapies work to help pelvic pain.

We must also support those in the medical field who have already joined this cause. We have the ability to change so much for our own future and for future generations of pelvic pain sufferers. We must strive to strike a balance between the millions suffering and the few hundred that truly understand how to treat the CPP patient. E-mail me, Elisabeth Oas, the patient advocate for the IPPS with any questions: info@pelvicpain.org.

How You Can Help : Please download and print all of the membership and conference information from this site and bring it to every medical practitioner you know! And/or donate to the IPPS to help us, help you to spread the word and continue to expand on education and research for pelvic pain sufferers. You can and will empower yourself because you are more than just your pelvic pain – because you possess the power and ability to make a huge difference in the lives of us all.