We have compiled a list of resources (videos, podcasts, books and more) for people participating in the CPP Connect program.
Please note: These links are being provided for informational purposes only. The resources below do not replace individual health care advice. You are encouraged to discuss your health needs with a health practitioner. By linking to the below resources, this does not constitute an endorsement by the Women's of any of the products, services or opinions of the individual or organisation.
Video
TEDx Adelaide talk: Why things Hurt. By Prof. Lorimer Moseley.
Lorimer Moseley, makes you laugh at the same time as explaining how pain depends on context and past experiences, and there is a lot going on behind the scenes, when our brain is dealing with danger messages.
Podcast
All in the Mind (ABC Radio National)
Fascinating Interview with Hayley Leake, Physiotherapist, Pain researcher and winner of "Australian Survivor" - Season 6. Hayley describes how she used her understanding of pain to help her win Survivor. “All in the Mind” has many other interesting episodes about the brain and mental health.
Websites and an online article
Tame the Beast
A great animation explaining how pain works, plus additional resources.
Pain Australia
Has links to many other helpful resources.
Chronic Pain as a Conditioned Behaviour
This online article is by Paul Ingraham who started work as a massage therapist but has ended up being a pain specialist.
Books
"Explain Pain" by David S Butler and G. Lorimer Moseley
"The Way Out" by Alan Gordon
"Unlearn Your Pain" by Dr Howard Schubiner. (Please note: you can read the first two chapters for free: Unlearn Your Pain website).
"The Pain Management Workbork" by Dr Rachel Zoffness
"Manage Your Pain" by Dr Michael Nicholas, Dr Allan Molloy, Lois Tonkin and Lee Beeston
Apps
Podcast
Living with endometriosis
Listen to Dr Karin Jones, a member of the Women's CPP Connect program, on this podcast episode.
Websites and an online article
Period Pain
Professor Sonia Grover talks about periods and why they hurt in this online article.
EndoZone
Information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and self-management.
Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia
Has lots of helpful information for women and people assigned female at birth.
NPS MedicineWise
This webpage provides trusted information about the medical treatment of endometriosis.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
This webpage links to the 'Australian clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis'.
The Conversation
Search for 'endometriosis' to see great articles written by researchers in the field.
Pelvic Pain diary
Download a diary template to keep a record of your pain and symptoms. This may help you and your doctor manage your symptoms and could help with a diagnosis. Download: Pain and symptom diary.
Books
"Pelvic Pain e-booklet" by Dr Susan Evans and Deborah Bush
"Why pelvic pains hurts" by Adriaan Louw, Sandra Hilton and Carolyn Vandyken
Assessment tools
Bladder diary PDF (195 KB)
Bowel diary .doc (1.63MB)
Audio recording
Pelvic floor relaxation This series of guided audio recordings is especially designed for people with persistent pelvic pain to learn how to relax tight muscles, especially the pelvic floor muscles inside the pelvis, which are often tense and a cause of pelvic pain.
Website
You can search for a physiotherapist in your area on the Continence Foundation of Australia Physiotherapy Group website.
Apps
Information on the Women's website
Book
"Mindfulness for Health" by Vidyamala Burch and Dr Danny Penman
App
Nerva (gut directed hypnotherapy)
Podcasts
Information on the Women's website
Books
"Gentle Nutrition" by Rachael Hartley
"Eat Yourself Healthy" by Dr Megan Rossi
"The Intuitive Eating Workbook" by Elyse Resch and Evely Tribole
Information on the Women's website
Books
"Come as you are" by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.
"She comes first" by Ian Kerner
"V: An empowering celebration of the vulva and vagina" by Florence Shechter
eCentre Clinic - Macquarie University Pain Course
A free, online and internet-delivered 5-week pain management program designed to provide good information about chronic pain and to teach practical skills for managing the impact of pain on day-to-day activities and emotional wellbeing.
More information: eCentre Clinic Pain course
This Way Up - St Vincent's Hospital and the University of New South Wales
This free, 8-lesson course takes a multidisciplinary approach to pain management skills to help better manage your chronic pain and improve your quality of life. You will need to have your clinician (GP, Medical Specialist, Psychologist or any other Allied Health Professional) complete a referral form so you can enrol.
More information: This Way Up Chronic Pain course.
MindSpot
This course consists of 5 lessons over an eight-week period. It provides the information and practical skills you would normally receive from a mental health professional if you attended a specialist pain management clinic.
More information: MindSpot Chronic Pain course
Podcast
Visible women
Full of fascinating (yet infuriating) information about how many gaps there are in knowledge about women’s health.
Books
"Invisible women" by Caroline Criado Perez
"Pain and Prejudice: A Call to Arms for Women and Their Bodies" by Gabrielle Jackson
Related information
- Healthy periods Serious pain and heavy bleeding should be investigated by a doctor, but low level discomfort can be avoided by making a number of lifestyle changes.
- Healthy periods - diet and exercise advice Diet and exercise bring a range of health benefits as well as improving your experience of having periods.
- Heavy bleeding Hormone releasing IUDs are more effective than the contraceptive pill and other medication for treating heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, according to our research.
- Your vulva and vagina Find out more about your vulva (the name for the genitals outside your body) and your vagina (the passage that connects your uterus to the outside of your body).
- Vulvodynia This chronic condition can affect women at any age but is most common in young women who have pain during sex and are often unable to have penetrative sex at all.