Overcome Pelvic Pain (POPPY)

The National Program to Overcome Pelvic Pain studY (POPPY)

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11144921

This project offers trauma-informed yoga for women with chronic pelvic pain to help reduce pain, anxiety, and improve daily function.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11144921 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be offered a trauma-informed yoga program that uses gentle postures, pelvic-floor awareness, breathing, relaxation, and mindful body practices. The classes are designed to be sensitive to past sexual or interpersonal trauma so participants feel safe and supported. Researchers at UCSF will deliver the program and track changes in pain, mood, physical function, and quality of life over time. The goal is to create a low-cost, accessible therapy many women can use without repeated specialist visits.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adult women with chronic pelvic pain, including those with pelvic floor dysfunction or histories of sexual or interpersonal trauma, are the intended participants.

Not a fit: People without chronic pelvic pain, men, or patients whose pain is clearly due to a specific surgical or medical condition may not benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a widely available, better-tolerated way for women to reduce pelvic pain and related anxiety and disability.

How similar studies have performed: Some small studies of yoga for chronic or pelvic pain show promise, but larger rigorous trials—especially using a trauma-informed protocol—are limited.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.