DOI: 10.1177/22840265261486248 ISSN: 2284-0265

Impact of severe chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis on sleep and intimacy correlates with self-management strategies of Jamaican women

Chrystalee Frith, Carole Rattray, Maxine Gossell-Williams, Shaun Wynter
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Background:

Severe chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis is associated with worse quality of life (QoL) and women may use self-management strategies for relief. The aim of the study was to describe this association among Jamaican women living with endometriosis and the use self-management strategies.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted August 2021–March 2022 to include women aged 18–49 years, residing in Jamaica and confirmed endometriosis diagnosis. Survey items included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scale, Endometriosis Health Profile core component for QoL score (EHP-5-core QoL), Pelvic Pain Impact Questionnaire (PPIQ) for Total impact score and self-management strategies used. Data analysis involved descriptive (mean ± standard deviation, percentages with 95%confidence intervals); and Spearman’s rho correlation.

Results:

Participants completing the survey ( n  = 84) represented women from all counties across Jamaica; 80% reported severe monthly pelvic pain (VAS ⩾ 7). EHP-5-core QoL was 69% (95%confidence interval, 65%—73%); worst contributing item was ‘Social Support’, 3.3 ± 0.8. Total PPIQ Score was 18.6 ± 7.6 and worst PPIQ item was ‘Mood’ 2.7 ± 1.1. There was a strong correlation between Total PPIQ and EHP-5-core QoL (0.687; p  < 0.001). Most participants (63/84, 75%) reported use of self-management strategies; herbal preparations (62/63, 98%) were most used, followed by rest (48/63, 68%). Ginger tea was the most common tea reported (46/63, 73%). Use of self-management strategies correlated with impact of chronic pelvic pain on sleep (0.349; p  < 0.01) and level of intimacy (0.261; p  < 0.05).

Conclusion:

For Jamaican women living with endometriosis, severe chronic pelvic pain correlated with the worst quality of life. While mood was most impacted by the pelvic pain, self-management strategies to relieve the impact of pelvic pain on sleep and level of intimacy were of significance. There was preferred reliance on herbal preparations.

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