7 Powerful Conversations About Pain You Might Have Missed

This photo is probably one of the most used on social media. While I’m grateful more have access to Canva and its wonderful photo library, I’m saddened we see this photo (and many like it) over and over.

It’s Chronic Pain Awareness Month, and for many women, it’s chronic pelvic pain.

I just listened to an episode of A Slight Change of Plans where Jessica Slice, author of Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World shared her story of learning she had a genetic condition that ultimately left her unable to walk. She said:

Sound familiar? Many who navigate the healthcare system with unexplained symptoms—especially when pain is involved—describe the same thing.

I wish I had a magic answer. This is why we need better diagnostics, treatments, and systemic change. Until then, each of us must listen to our bodies, learn from experts, and advocate for ourselves in the exam room.

In honor of Chronic Pain Awareness Month, I’m re-sharing some of the most popular Fempower Health episodes on pain. Perhaps one will resonate for you or someone you love.

Top Episodes to Understand Chronic Pain:

• 🎙️ The Neuroscience of Chronic Pain with Dr. Melissa Farmer
  How the nervous system processes pain, its mental health toll, and why soothing the system is key. Plus, new tech making neuroscience-based care accessible. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ Pelvic Congestion Syndrome with Dr. Mari Tassarotti
  An underrecognized cause of chronic pelvic pain—diagnosis challenges, minimally invasive treatments, and why second opinions matter. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain with Dr. Peta Wright
  When surgery helps, when it doesn’t, and why validating women’s pain from the start changes everything. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ Pelvic Pain & Hypermobility with Alyson Lowrey
  How hypermobility impacts the pelvic floor, digestion, and pain processing—plus practical strategies, exercises, and advocacy tips for women navigating these complex conditions. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ 2025 Guidelines: Pain Relief During IUD Insertion
  What ACOG and CDC now recommend, why it matters, and how to ensure your provider is up to date. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) with Dr Maria Uloko
  Vaginal dryness, painful sex, UTIs—often ignored but treatable. Breaking down the new 2025 GSM guidelines and why midlife care must expand. Listen to Dr. Maria Uloko explain GSM on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

• 🎙️ Managing Endometriosis Pain with Dr. Allyson Shrikhande
  A whole-person approach to pelvic pain: early detection, non-surgical options, and why restoring function matters as much as pain relief. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Check out all episodes on pelvic health (cause sadly, that is where many of you feel pain).