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Review
. 2025 Jun 19;17(6):e86344.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.86344. eCollection 2025 Jun.

The Intersection of Psychology and Gynecology: A Comprehensive Review of Pain Management Strategies in Women's Health

Archana Kori  1 , Ajay Singh  2 , Yash Satish Caroicar  3 , Priyanka Elizabeth Thomas  4 , Anjali Chandra  5
Affiliations
Review

The Intersection of Psychology and Gynecology: A Comprehensive Review of Pain Management Strategies in Women's Health

Archana Kori et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Chronic gynecological pain conditions, including dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, vulvodynia, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), present significant challenges in women's health. These conditions result in significant physical discomfort and are closely associated with psychological comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, and increased central pain sensitization. Traditional pharmacological and surgical interventions often provide limited relief, as they fail to address the complex interplay between biological, neurological, and psychological factors underlying pain perception. This review explores the intersection of psychology and gynecology in pain management, emphasizing the biopsychosocial model as a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating gynecological pain. Research highlights the influence of hormonal fluctuations, central sensitization, and neuroinflammatory pathways in pain amplification, further exacerbated by adverse childhood experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Integrative approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, biofeedback, and virtual reality (VR) therapy, have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating pain intensity and improving emotional resilience. The integration of digital health innovations and personalized medicine presents new opportunities for optimizing pain management strategies. Future research should focus on interdisciplinary collaboration between gynecologists, psychologists, and pain specialists to develop patient-centered treatment modalities. A paradigm shift toward holistic and precision-based interventions is essential to enhance therapeutic outcomes and improve the quality of life for women suffering from chronic gynecological pain.

Keywords: biofeedback; chronic pelvic pain; cognitive-behavioral therapy; endometriosis; pain management; virtual reality therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Estrogen & Progesterone Influence on Pain Perception
Created by the authors
Figure 2
Figure 2. Emerging Integrative and Complementary Approaches
Created by the authors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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