Knowledge, Coping Strategies, and Sexual Function in Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as persistent or recurrent pelvic pain lasting at least six months and is associated with substantial physical, psychological, and social consequences. Beyond pain intensity, cognitive and emotional factors such as knowledge about pain mechanisms, pain-related beliefs, and coping strategies play an important role in the experience of chronic pain. Sexual function is frequently affected in people with CPP, and this impairment may be influenced not only by nociceptive factors but also by cognitive and affective variables.

The primary objective of this study is to analyze the associations between knowledge about pain, coping strategies, and sexual function in adults with chronic pelvic pain. Secondary objectives include describing these variables in the study population and examining differences according to sex and educational level.

This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. Adult participants (≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain will be recruited from hospital outpatient clinics. Exclusion criteria include current pregnancy, recent major pelvic surgery, active pelvic infection or neoplasm, inability to understand Spanish, or cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires.

After providing written informed consent, participants will complete a set of self-administered questionnaires during a single assessment session. Data collected will include sociodemographic variables (age, sex, educational level), pain duration, pain intensity measured by a visual analogue scale, level of knowledge about pain assessed through a brief ad hoc questionnaire developed for this study with content validation, coping strategies assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and sexual function assessed using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). No intervention or modification of usual clinical care is involved.

Data analysis will include descriptive statistics and appropriate comparative and correlational analyses to explore relationships between knowledge, coping strategies, and sexual function. The study involves minimal risk to participants and guarantees voluntary participation, anonymity, and confidentiality of data. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Principality of Asturias prior to study initiation.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Clinical diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain lasting at least 6 months.
• Ability to understand spoken and written Spanish.
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Current pregnancy.
• Major pelvic surgery within the previous 3 months.
• Active pelvic infection or active neoplastic disease.
• Cognitive impairment or any condition preventing completion of questionnaires.
• Inability to understand Spanish.