“You’re Not a Complete Person”: The Interrelationships Among Pelvic Pain, Body Image, and Identity

Sophie Obreza, Janet Conti, Amelia K. Mardon
In: Women's Reproductive Health · 2026 · pp. 1–20 · doi:10.1080/23293691.2026.2752054 · W7225230594
Qualitative OA: hybrid CC0
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A qualitative analysis of Australian women with pelvic pain reveals that chronic pain simultaneously undermines and redefines their body image and sense of self through themes of internal experience, concealment, and resilience.

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Abstract

Evidence suggests that endometriosis influences how women perceive their bodies and sense of self. However, less is known across other pelvic pain conditions. This reflexive analysis of 12 semi-structured interviews from women with pelvic pain in Australia explored the interrelationships among pelvic pain, body image, and sense of identity. Three themes were developed: “the devil within me: the experience of pelvic pain”; “the camouflage that hides me: curating and concealing the pain”; and “the resilience that (re)defines me: surviving the pain”. Findings highlight how pelvic pain simultaneously undermines and redefines women’s relationships with their body and sense of self.

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