Understanding the experiences of women with chronic abdominal or pelvic pain

This survey is conducted by physicians to learn directly from women whose symptoms haven't been fully answered by the medical system. Your responses are completely anonymous — no identifying information will be collected. You have the option to share your email to receive the results of the survey.

Participation is entirely voluntary. You may skip any question or stop at any time.

This is not a medical consultation. Completing this survey does not create a physician-patient relationship and I am unable to provide individual medical advice based on your responses.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Your responses will be used to better understand the experiences of women with chronic pelvic and abdominal symptoms and to inform the development of better options. Please feel free to share with friends and family to help us gain more perspective.

1. How long have you been living with symptoms of abdominal or pelvic pain?

A

Less than 6 months

B

6 months - 1 year

C

1 - 3 years

D

3 - 5 years

E

5 - 10 years

F

More than 10 years

2. What is your age range?

A

<18 years

B

18 - 29 years

C

30 - 49 years

D

50 - 79 years

E

80 years or older

3. What best describes your diagnosis status?

A

No diagnosis

B

Have a diagnosis (or multiple) - but doesn't explain all my symptoms

C

Have a diagnosis (or multiple) - explains my symptoms, but they persist despite treatment

D

Other

4. How much do these symptoms affect your daily life?

A

Minimal - I manage fine

B

Moderate - they affect my day, but I push through

C

Significant - they regularly disrupt my daily life, work and/or relationships

D

Severe - they are the defining challenge of my day to day life

E

Other

5. When you see a doctor about your symptoms, which of the following have you experienced? Select all that apply

I feel dismissed or unheard

I leave appointments without answers

I feel my appointments are too short to cover everything

I struggle to describe what I'm experiencing in a way that doctors understand

I realized I forgot to share important details during the appointment

I bring notes or a symptom journey to help communicate

I generally feel well heard and understood by my doctors

Other

6. When you want to understand your symptoms or treatment better, where do you currently turn? Select all that apply.

I research online (articles, medical sites, AI tools)

I scroll social media for content (TikTok, Instagram)

I participate in Reddit or Facebook communities for my condition

I connect with condition-specific patient communities online

I use a symptom tracking app

I talk to friends or family

I message my doctor or care team

I don't seek information about my symptoms or treatment

I have not been able to find answers from the options available

Other

7. How valuable is it to learn from women with health experiences similar to yours (for example, have the same symptoms, diagnoses or treatments)?

A

Extremely valuable

B

Very valuable

C

Somewhat valuable

D

Not very valuable

E

Not valuable at all

F

Other

8. How easy is it today to find women with similar experiences that help you understand your own health situation?

A

Very easy - I can easily find women with relevant experiences that help me understand my own health situation

B

Somewhat easy

C

Difficult

D

Very difficult - I rarely find women with relevant enough experiences to help me understand my own health situation

E

I don't know where to look

F

I haven't tried

G

Other

9. When you need emotional support, where do you currently turn? Select all that apply?

Friends or family

A health professional

Reddit or Facebook communities

Condition-specific patient communities online

Social media (Instagram/TikTok) - seeing others' experiences

I don't seek emotional support for my symptoms

I have not felt fully supported by the options available

Other

10. If you have tracked your symptoms, what did you use the tracking for? Select all that apply

I will never track my symptoms

I have never tracked my symptoms, but would consider it

To identify patterns or triggers

To share with my doctor

To feel a sense of control over what I'm experiencing

To monitor whether treatments are working

Other

Understanding the experiences of women with chronic abdominal or pelvic pain

1. How long have you been living with symptoms of abdominal or pelvic pain?

2. What is your age range?

3. What best describes your diagnosis status?

4. How much do these symptoms affect your daily life?

5. When you see a doctor about your symptoms, which of the following have you experienced? Select all that apply

6. When you want to understand your symptoms or treatment better, where do you currently turn? Select all that apply.

7. How valuable is it to learn from women with health experiences similar to yours (for example, have the same symptoms, diagnoses or treatments)?

8. How easy is it today to find women with similar experiences that help you understand your own health situation?

9. When you need emotional support, where do you currently turn? Select all that apply?

10. If you have tracked your symptoms, what did you use the tracking for? Select all that apply

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Optional: Share your email below to receive the results of the survey