A program to help women manage chronic pelvic pain through yoga
Official title: The National Program to Overcome Pelvic Pain studY (POPPY)
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10881523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how yoga can help women with chronic pelvic pain feel better by teaching them relaxing techniques and mindful practices that they can easily do on their own.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $812,735 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT012461-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10881523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult women experiencing chronic pelvic pain, particularly those seeking alternative management strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pelvic pain or those who are not open to complementary therapies like yoga may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of yoga as a complementary treatment for women suffering from chronic pelvic pain, a condition that affects one in seven women and can lead to various psychological and physical challenges. The program focuses on teaching yoga practices that promote mindful awareness, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques, all tailored to address pelvic floor dysfunction and reduce anxiety. By emphasizing patient-centered care and trauma-informed principles, the research aims to provide women with accessible and effective management strategies for their pain. Participants will engage in yoga practices that do not require intensive supervision, making it a more feasible option for many.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide women with a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments for chronic pelvic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for yoga as a complementary treatment for various chronic pain conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Alison — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Huang, Alison
Related research
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A new oral medicine combining cromolyn sodium and cetirizine is being developed to help adults with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain by targeting immune and nerve-related pathways.
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Sacral nerve stimulation for chronic pelvic pain
A study to see if a minimally invasive nerve-stimulation therapy can help reduce chronic pelvic pain and improve quality of life in adult women.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.