Women's Causal Beliefs About Their Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography.
Grace A Ferencz, Amelia K Mardon, Alice M Mitchell et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-ethnography synthesized qualitative literature on women's beliefs regarding chronic pelvic pain, analyzing 30 studies with 1255 women. The findings revealed four main themes of causal beliefs, highlighting a range of attributions from biological to social factors. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these beliefs in clinical assessment.
Key findings
- Four themes of causal beliefs were identified: gender, bodily experiences, personal actions, and life circumstances.
- Attributions varied from biological, psychological, to social explanations, indicating a complex understanding of pain.
- Perceptions of control over pain ranged from feeling powerless to experiencing personal agency.
- Only seven studies met the CASP criteria for minimal risk of bias.
Why it matters
Understanding women's beliefs about the causes of their pelvic pain can enhance clinical assessments and inform treatment approaches, potentially improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.
What to keep in mind
The quality of reporting and demographic diversity were limited, primarily including Caucasian, cis-gender, heterosexual women from Western countries.