The power of words: the role of clinician communication and language in the management of women with chronic pelvic pain through a narrative review

Background and Objective: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common symptom amongst women and poses many challenges including physical, psychological, functional and economic. Clinician language is a key component of communication and has the ability to influence the patient experience and their engagement with healthcare. The importance of language has been reviewed in relation to chronic pain generally and in specific conditions like back pain and migraine, for its role in reducing stigmatisation and facilitating seeking care. This review discusses the current landscape of qualitative data pertaining to women with CPP and their perceptions of clinician interactions, communication and language. This research is pertinent given the prevalence of women with CPP holding negative perceptions of healthcare and an apparent need to prevent disengagement with practical recommendations.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase from 1990 to 2025 to identify qualitative research pertaining to this topic. Studies were selected based on relevance, inclusion and exclusion criteria. Existing qualitative studies that looked at the experiences of women with CPP and the role of clinician communication and language were analysed in the findings.

Key Content and Findings: The literature search found 14 qualitative studies that explored the healthcare experience of women with CPP. There were no studies that adequately targeted perceptions of clinician language including analysis of specific words, terms and phrases. The review revealed studies which explored women with CPP’s experiences of clinician communication more generally, including reports they feel their pain was normalised and dismissed. There was a clear desire for the validation of symptoms from clinicians, even in the absence of a definitive physical pathology.

Conclusions: Women with CPP have lives associated with significant psychosocial and economic impact. Negative healthcare experiences are a commonly reported issue. Language used can be influential in the patient experience and engaging with healthcare. There is an unmet need in the literature for more targeted analysis of clinician language including the preferences and aversions of women with CPP. Such guidance will optimise an often negative and lengthy diagnostic journey by enhancing patient engagement and empowerment.