Dr Angela James recently joined urologist Dr Ross Calopedos, GP Dr Caroline Hardy and Breast Surgeon Dr Sarah Forsyth in the men’s and women’s health stream at GP Refresh 2026.
Angela presented on the muscular causes of pelvic pain, highlighting that chronic pelvic pain affects approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 12 men, making it as common as neck and shoulder pain, yet often overlooked.
Three key messages from the session
- Pelvic pain is complex – biological, psychological and social factors all influence a person’s pain experience
- Pelvic pain often doesn’t equal pathology – symptoms may persist despite minimal pathology, and the severity of pain doesn’t always reflect tissue damage
- Early referral to a pelvic health physiotherapist can be a game changer – helping patients access education, movement, symptom management and multidisciplinary care sooner
Thank you to the GP Refresh team for the opportunity to contribute to such an important discussion around improving outcomes for people living with pelvic pain.
