Skip to main content
American Pain Society
Menu
Login
Search
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
    • Membership Categories
    • Member Spotlight
      • Spotlight – Salimah Meghani
      • Spotlight – Adam Hirsh
      • Spotlight – Deb Gordon
      • Member Spotlight Archive
      • Spotlight – Arian Nachat, MD FABEM FABHPM
      • Spotlight – Benedict J. Kolber, PhD
      • Spotlight – Beth Darnall, PhD
      • Spotlight – Gonzalo Flores, LAc MAcOM
      • Spotlight – Gregory Terman, MD PhD
      • Spotlight – J. Bruce Hillenberg, PhD ABPP
      • Spotlight – Jeffrey Mogil, PhD
      • Spotlight – Neil Singla, MD
      • Spotlight – S. Stevens Negus, PhD
      • Spotlight – Sean Ustic, PharmD
      • Spotlight – Story Landis, PhD
      • Spotlight – Darnall 2
      • Spotlight – Anna Wilson
      • Spotlight – Seena Ajit
      • Spotlight – Marie Bement
      • Spotlight – Peter Grace
      • Spotlight – David Thomas
    • Member Demographics
    • Recruit
    • Join/Renew
    • Membership Directory
    • January 2019 New Members
    • February 2019 New Members
  • Meetings and Events
    • 2019 Scientific Meeting
      • 2019 Scientific Meeting
        • 2019 Speaker Media Kit
        • Scientific Meeting: Science Landing Page
        • Scientific Meeting: Clinical Landing Page
        • Refer a colleague
        • Social Media Champion
        • 2019 Social Media Champions
        • Registration Rates
        • Hotel and Travel
        • 2019 Meeting Prospects
          • Thank You
        • Schedule
        • Continuing Education
        • 2019 Speaker Highlight
        • 2019 SIG Schedule
        • Accepted Posters
        • Spring Pain
        • Fundamentals Course
        • Conference on Analgesic Trials
        • Early Career Forum
        • Data Blitz
        • Exhibits and Support
        • Sponsorship Opportunities
        • Early Career Forum Mentors
        • 2019 Young Investigator Recipients
        • Scientific Program Committee
        • 2019 App Tips
    • 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting Evaluation
    • 2017 Call for Poster Abstracts
    • Past Meetings
      • Abstract Database
    • Email Landing Page 2017
    • 2018 Scientific Summit Poster Presenters in the Media
  • Education
    • Guidelines
      • Guideline for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain in Sickle-Cell Disease
      • Archived Guidelines
    • The Journal of Pain
      • Journal of Pain iPad App
    • Journal Summaries
      • JOP July 2018 – 1
      • JOP July 2018 – 2
      • Clinical JOP July 2018 – 1
      • Clinical JOP July 2018 – 2
      • PAIN July 2018 – 1
      • PAIN July 2018 – 2
      • JOP August 2018 – 1
      • JOP August 2018 – 2
      • Clinical JOP August 2018 – 1
      • Clinical JOP August 2018 – 2
      • PAIN August 2018 – 1
      • PAIN August 2018 – 2
      • JOP September 2018 – 1
      • JOP September 2018 – 2
      • JOP October 2018 – 1
      • JOP October 2018 – 2
      • JOP November 2018 – 1
      • JOP November 2018 – 2
      • JOP December 2018 – 1
      • JOP December 2018 – 2
      • JOP January 2019 – 1
      • JOP January 2019 – 2
      • JOP February 2019 – 1
      • JOP February 2019 – 2
      • JOP March 2019 – 1
      • JOP March 2019 – 2
    • Principles of Analgesic Use
    • APS E-News
      • E-News Archives
      • Member Stories
    • Online Education Programs
    • Training in Pain and Associated Symptoms Research – Nursing
    • The Methadone Safety Guidelines: A Live Webinar
    • 2010 Revised Questionnaire
    • Events Calendar
    • CE Mission Statement
    • Webinars
    • Resources
      • Resource – Fibromyalgia
      • Resources – Sickle Cell Disease
      • Chronic Low Back Pain
    • Clinical Centers Guide
    • Military/Veterans SIG Meeting
    • Psychosocial Research SIG Meeting
    • Primary Care SIG Meeting
    • Pain and Disparities SIG Meeting
    • Ethics/Pain Rehabilitation SIG Meeting
    • Plenary Lecture: The Biology of Infant and Childhood Pain: It All Begins Here
    • Kerr Lecture: Distributed Processing of Pain: From the Spinal Cord to the Brain
    • Fordyce Lecture: Simplifying Evidence-Based Pain Self-Management Therapies for Chronic Pain: Rationale, Efficacy, and Implementation
    • Plenary Lecture: In Pursuir of More Powerful Non-Pharmacologic Treatments for Musculoskeletal Pain with Centralized Features
    • Plenary Lecture: Taking Aim is Easier When You Know the Target: Moving Toward Mechanism-Based Pain Assessment
    • Plenary Lecture: Assessment and Management of Neuropathic Pain: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities
    • Plenary Lecture: Spinal Mechanisms of Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Targets
    • Plenary Lecture: Variability in the Pain Experience after Injury
    • Neurobiological Mechanisms Supporting Integrative and Mind-Body Therapies for Pain
    • Bottom-up vs. Top-down: The Search for Effective Mechanisms in Psychosocial Treatments for Chronic Pain
    • Novel Mechanisms Underlying Risk for Acute and Chronic Post-Surgical Pain: Role of Peripheral Pain Processing, Central Sensitization, and Genomics
    • Psychology Treatments for Chronic Pain: Who Benefits & Why?
    • Descending Modulation of Pain and the Endocannabinoid System: Sites, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential
    • Muscle Pain Mechanisms: It’s Time to Dive Deep
    • Mechanism-Based Approach to Clinical Trial Design in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
    • At the Intersection of Affect Regulation, Reward/Value Process, and Placebo: Altered Human Psychological, Neurobiological, and Opioidergic Systems in Chronic Pain
    • Putting the Spotlight on Social: An Innovative Multidisciplinary, Multi-Species Approach for Examining the Influence of Social Context in Pain
    • Migraine and Sleep Deficiency in Adolescents: Understanding Shared Mechanisms for Bench to Bedside
    • Novel Directions in Basic Science Research: Rita Allen Scholars
    • Exploiting Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation for New Treatments of Chronic Pain
  • Funding Opportunities
    • Grants
      • Where Are Future Leaders Now?
      • Future Leaders
        • 2009-fl-laura-simons
        • Barbara Hastie
        • Robert Edwards
        • Susan Dorsey
        • Beth Darnall
        • Jill Fehrenbacher
        • Ted Price
        • Anna Long
        • Jamie Rhudy
        • Laura Frey Law
        • Lisa Loram
        • Magali Millecamps
        • Edgar Romero-Sandoval
        • Gregory Dussor
        • Khara Ramos
        • Lynnae Schwartz
        • Michelle Fortier
        • Christopher King
        • Jennifer Lee
        • Kimberly Sibille
        • Shivani Ruparel
        • Steve Davidson
        • Claudia Campbell
        • Jennifer DeBerry
        • Tim Doyle
        • Adam T. Hirsh, PhD
        • David A. Seminowicz, PhD
        • Ohannes K. Melemedjian, PhD
        • Burel R. Goodin, PhD
        • 2014 Future Leaders in Pain Research Recipients
        • Future Leaders – Past Recipients
      • Sharon S. Keller Chronic Pain Research Grant
        • Sharon S. Keller Grant Past Recipients
      • Future Leader Spotlight – Copits
      • Future Leader Spotlight – Janevic
      • Future Leader Spotlight – Jarrahi
    • APS and Pfizer IGLC
    • METER Mayday Award
    • Pfizer IGLC for Pain Research
  • Get Involved
    • 2019 Call for Nominations
    • Awards & Grants
      • Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management
        • CCOE Recipients
        • 2009 Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Award – Special Commendation
          • John C. Liebeskind Early Career Scholar Award
            • David A. Seminowicz, PhD
            • Laura E. Simons, PhD
            • Claudia M. Campbell, PhD
        • 2008 Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Award Recipients
        • 2014 Clinical Centers of Excellence Award Recipients
        • 2013 CCOE Recipients
        • 2012 CCOE Recipients
        • 2012 CCOE Ceremony
        • 2010 CCOE Special Commendations
        • 2011 CCOE Recipients
        • 2010 CCOE Recipients
        • 2009 CCOE Award Recipients
        • CCOE Applications
        • CCOE Past Recipients
      • Distinguished Service Award
        • Edward Michna, JD MD
        • Charles E. Inturrisi, PhD
        • David A. Williams, PhD
      • Elizabeth Narcessian Award for Outstanding Educational Achievements in the Field of Pain
        • Penney Cowan
        • Joanna Girard Katzman, MD MSPH
        • Charles Argoff, MD
      • Kathleen M. Foley Journalist Award
        • Rita Rubin
        • Michelle Andrews
        • Judy Foreman
      • Jeffrey Lawson Award for Advocacy in Children’s Pain Relief
        • Elliot Krane
        • Carlton Dampier, MD
        • Anna Tadio
      • John and Emma Bonica Public Service Award
        • Ann O’Mara
        • Phillip A. Pizzo, MD
        • Dennis C. Turk, PhD
        • Robert H. Dworkin
      • Rita Allen Foundation Award in Pain
        • Rita Allen Foundation Award Recipients
      • Wilbert E. Fordyce Clinical Investigator Award
        • Jennifer Haythornthwaite, PhD
        • William Maixner
        • Mark P. Jensen, PhD
      • Frederick W.L. Kerr Basic Science Research Award
        • Kathleen Sluka, PT PhD
        • Jeffrey S. Mogul, PhD
        • Michael J. Iadarola, PhD
      • 2015 CCOE Recipients
      • 2015 Distinguished Service Award – Savage
      • 2015 Foley Award – Thernstrom
      • 2015 Bonica Service Award – Rappaport
      • 2015 Fordyce Award – Clauw
      • 2015 Kerr Basic Science Award – Woolf
      • 2015 Jeffrey Lawson Award – Johnston
      • 2015 Liebeskind Award – Hirsh
      • 2015 Narcessian Award – Fishman
      • 2016 Award Nominations
      • 2016 Narcessian Award – Friedrichsdorf
      • 2016 Lawson Award – Chambers
      • 2016 Liebeskind – Trost
      • 2016 Bonica Award – Christo
      • 2016 CCOE Award Recipients
      • 2016 Fordyce Award – Mackey
      • 2016 Kerr Award – Gold
      • 2016 Foley Award – Peachman
      • Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award
      • 2017 Distinguished Service Award – Fillingim
      • 2017 Narcessian Award – Kitlinski
      • 2017 Kerr Award – Gereau
      • 2017 Lawson Award – von Baeyer
      • 2017 Bonica Award – Porter
      • 2017 Liebeskind Award – Goodin
      • 2017 Fordyce Award – Kerns
      • 2018 Distinguished Service – Herndon
      • 2018 Narcessian – Gallagher
      • 2018 Kerr – Coghill
      • 2018 Lawson – Grunau
      • 2018 Bonica – Moseley
      • 2018 Liebeskind – Merlin
      • 2018 Fordyce Award – BThorn
      • 2018 Kerr Award – RCoghill
      • 2018 Bonica Award – LMoseley
      • 2018 Lawson Award – RGrunau
      • 2018 Liebeskind Award – JMerlin
      • 2018 Narcessian Award – RGallagher
      • 2019 Liebeskind Award – Noel
      • 2019 Bonica Award – Thomas
      • 2019 Kerr Award – Pasternak
      • 2019 Distinguished Award – Walco
      • 2019 Narcessian Award – Mogil
      • 2019 Fordyce Award – Tait
      • 2019 Lawson Award – Riddell
    • Special Interest Groups
      • Advancing the Science of Quality
      • Clinical Trials
        • APS-CAT Webinar
      • Ethics
      • Genetics and Pain
      • Geriatric Pain
      • Measurement of Pain and Its Impact
      • Nursing
      • Pain Education
      • Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
      • Pain Rehabilitation
      • Palliative Care
      • Primary Care
      • Psychosocial Research
      • Basic Science
      • Pain and Disparities
      • Pharmacotherapy
      • Pain in Infants, Children, and Adolescents
      • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
      • Military/Veterans SIG
      • Basic Science SIG – Election
      • Headache SIG
      • Sex & Gender in Pain and Analgesia
      • SIG Election – Psychosocial
      • SIG Election – Basic Science
      • SIG Election – Pediatric
    • Regional Societies
      • Southern Pain Society
        • Organization and Membership
        • Officers and Board Members
      • Midwest Pain Society
        • Board and Officers
        • MPS Mission Statement
        • Meeting Workshop Handouts
      • Eastern Pain Association
        • Why Join?
        • EPA Mission Statement
      • Western Pain Society
      • Greater Philadelphia Pain Society
    • Commercial Support
    • Advocacy
      • Pain Care Coalition
      • Pain Care Coalition Timeline
      • 2016 National Pain Strategy Presentation
      • July 2018 Advocacy FDA
      • July 2018 Advocacy NIH
      • July 2018 Advocacy NIH HEAL
    • Pain Research Fund
      • PRF Donors
      • PRF FAQ
    • 2016 Distinguished Service Award – Haythornthwaite
    • Early Career Resources
      • Early Career Advisory Group Members
      • Early Career Job Board
      • Training and Career Development Applicant Resources
    • ECAG Application
    • ECAG Vice Chair Nomination
    • Call for Volunteers
    • ECAG Poster Tips
      • Who’s Who in APS
        • Board of Directors
        • Committee and Special Interest Group Chairs
        • APS Staff
        • Organizational Structure
        • Strategic Plan
        • APS Bylaws
        • History of APS
        • Position Statements
          • Statement on Research, Funding, and Opioids
          • Society Blog View
        • Code of Ethics
        • Conflict of Interest Policy
          • Financial Conflict of Interest Policy
        • Pain Research Agenda
        • IASP
        • Newsroom
          • American Pain Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting Convenes in New Orleans, May 8-11
          • Adolescent Chronic Pain Costs $19.5 Billion a Year in the United States
          • New Method Helps Doctors Check Pain Drug Compliance
          • New Study Assesses Benefits of Cognitive Pain Relief Methods
          • Pain Intensity Can Predict Head and Neck Cancer Survival
          • Study Estimates Persistent Pain Incidence at 19% of U.S. Adults
          • Study Examines How Doctors Use Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
          • Low-Dose Vaporized Cannabis Improves Neuropathic Pain
          • American Pain Society Releases Pain Research Agenda for the 21st Century
          • About Newsroom
          • American Pain Society and Journal of Family Practice To Co-sponsor Pain Care Conference for Primary Care Physicians
          • American Pain Society Announces $150,000 Pain Research Grant Program
          • American Pain Society Establishes Private Pain Research Fund
          • American Pain Society Executive Selected as Mayday Fellow
          • American Pain Society Hosting Two Symposia at PAINWeek
          • American Pain Society Presents 2012 Achievement Awards
          • American Pain Society Presents 2013 Achievement Awards
          • American Pain Society Presents 2014 Achievement Award
          • American Pain Society Publishes New Clinical Practice Guideline on Methadone Safety
          • American Pain Society To Provide Grant Support for Pain Research Forum’s “Papers of the Week”
          • Anxiety and Pain Fear Before Surgery Predict Chronic Post-surgical Pain
          • Archived News Releases
          • Cannabinoid Shown Effective as Adjuvant Analgesic for Cancer Pain
          • Drug Treatments for Heroin Addiction Heighten Pain Sensitivity
          • Genetic Alteration Predicts Pain Recovery After Sexual Assault
          • Health Care Reforms Will Change How Pain Is Assessed and Treated
          • High-dose Opioid Treatment Associated with Mental Health and Medical Comorbidities
          • Inadequate Pain Research Funding Hampers Effort to Find Safer and More Effective Treatments
          • Injury Fears Can Predict Impairment in Low Back Pain Patients
          • Internalized Stigma Linked with Poor Self Esteem and Pain Self-Efficacy
          • Motives Assessed for Opioid Misuse Among Adolescents
          • Negative Physician Attitudes About Opioid Pain Meds Linked with Lower Prescribing
          • New SmartPhone Apps Help Doctors Manage Pain Patients
          • No Relief Yet for Brutal Oral Cancer Pain, but Cannabinoids May Offer Some Hope
          • One-fourth of Breast Cancer Surgery Patients Have Persistent Pain
          • Pain Research Funding Inadequate in the Face of Soaring Incidence and Treatment Costs
          • Pain Research Yielding Encouraging Discoveries, But Funding Cuts Threaten Future Advances
          • Positive Activities Administered Online Help in Pain Management
          • Primary Care Doctors Prefer NSAIDS for Chronic Pain Treatment
          • REMS Statement
          • Risk Factor Management Helps Prevent Migraine Attacks
          • Sedatives and Alcohol Increase Risk for Pain Medication Adverse Events
          • Study Shows Pain Drug Craving Occurs With or Without Risk for Misuse
          • Severe Pain in Sexual Assault Survivors Often Not Treated
          • Severity of Acute Low Back Pain Predicts Development of Chronic Pain
          • Spinal Manipulative Therapy Lessens Central Pain Sensitization
          • Study Assesses Differences in Physician and Patient Pain Assessments
          • Study Assesses Mood Disorders with TMJ Pain
          • Study Assesses Pain and Quality of Life in Ugandan HIV Patients
          • Study Assesses Role of Caregiver Anxiety on Children’s Pain
          • Study Examines Treatment Responses in TMD Patients
          • Study Explores Role of Impaired Sleep in Fibromyalgia Pain
          • Study Evaluates Frequency of Pediatric Pain Assessments
          • Study Links Pre-operative Breast Cancer Pain to Inflammatory Mechanisms
          • Study Shows Pain Coping Success with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
          • Study shows Physiological Markers for Neonate Pain
          • Study Shows Predictors of Functional Change in Older Women with Recurrent Pain
          • The American Pain Society Presents Full-Day Program at PAINWeek 2012
          • Training the Brain Could Help Reduce Pain
          • University of Florida Psychologist Roger Fillingim, PhD, Becomes President of the American Pain Society
          • University of Washington Anesthesiologist Gregory W. Terman, MD PhD Becomes President of the American Pain Society
          • Yoga Shown Effective for Treating Chronic Neck Pain
          • Study Shows Links of Childhood Pain to Adult Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia
          • Newsroom Press Releases
            • APS Endorses NPS
            • Study Shows Tai Chi Can Help Relieve Chronic Neck Pain
            • Post-surgical Pain Management Can Influence Progression to Chronic Pain
            • American Pain Society Presents 2017 Achievement Awards
            • American Pain Society Encouraged by Pain Research Funding Progress
            • American Pain Society Scientific Meeting, April 3-6, Milwaukee
            • langevin-plenary
            • moron-concepcion-plenary
            • koroshetz-plenary
          • Newsroom 2013 News Releases
          • Newsroom 2014 News Releases
          • Press Room – Pain Education in Physical Therapy Schools
          • Press Room – Misuse of Therapeutic Opioids
          • Press Room – Meditation Can Reduce Chronic Neck Pain
          • Press Room – Link of Preexisting Mental Disorders
          • APS Scientific Meeting in Palm Springs
          • Nerve Involvement Explains Why Some Cancers are Very Painful
          • American Pain Society Presents 2014 Achievement Awards
          • American Pain Society Honors Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Award Recipients
          • Strong Evidence Still Lacking on Medical Marijuana for Pain
          • Fibromyalgia Has Central Nervous System Origins
          • Yoga and Chronic Pain Have Opposite Effects on Brain Gray Matter
          • Newsroom 2015 Releases
          • Patient-Centered Outcomes Studies Needed in Pain Management
          • Improving Sleep Quality Has Pain Control Benefits
          • Use of Multiple Pharmacies Can Predict Opioid Overdosing
          • Inhaled Cannabis Shown Effective for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain
          • NIH Study Shows Prevalence of Chronic or Severe Pain in U.S. Adults
          • Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain Often As Effective as Surgery
          • Mental Disorders Increase Risk for Eventual Chronic Pain in Adolescents
          • Study Assesses Long-term Impact of Post-surgical Pain in Children
          • Newsroom 2016 News Releases
            • American Pain Society Publishes Clinical Practice Guideline for Post-surgical Pain Management
          • Study Assesses Impact of Opioid Risk Reduction Initiatives
          • American Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Austin, May 11-14
          • Message CDC Guidelines
          • APS and Pfizer Grant Fund
          • Better Self Management Improves Outcomes for Chronic Pain Care
          • Politics of Pain Epitomizes U.S. Liberal-Conservative Divide
          • Psychological Flexibility Might Be the Key to Better Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions
          • APS Presents 2016 Achievement Awards
          • APS Honors Clinical Centers of Excellence in Pain Management Award Recipients
          • Evidence Shows Benefits of Psychological Care in Pain Management
          • American Pain Society Awarded Research Grant from Mayday Fund
          • American Pain Society Offers Guidance on Medical Marijuana for Pain
          • Study Shows Pain Often Improves in Older Veterans
          • Study showsDistress Intolerance Associated with Opioid Misuse
          • Brain Stimulation Technique Shown Effective in Phantom Limb Pain
          • Early Childhood Pain Can Predict Chronic Pain in Adolescence
          • American Pain Society Urges Congress to Oppose Steep Budget Cuts for National Institutes of Health
          • Newsroom 2017 News Releases
          • Holistic, Patient Centered Care Gaining Acceptance for Pain Management
          • Wearable Devices Communicate Vital Brain Activity Information
          • Practical Clinical Trials Can Help Find Alternatives to Opioids
          • Better Self-Management Improving VA Outcomes for Chronic Pain Care
          • Study Links Sleep Patterns with Pain Persistence After Pediatric Surgery
          • Study Shows Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improves Functioning for People with Chronic Pain
          • American Pain Society’s 2018 Annual Meeting Features New, Single-theme Format
          • Pain Severity Leading Predictor of Prolonged Opioid Use After Surgery
          • American Pain Society Supports Passage of Marijuana Effective Studies Act
          • American Pain Society Selects Future Leaders in Pain Research Grant Recipients
          • Study Shows High Rate of Chronic Pain in Homeless Older Adults
          • Study Explores Patient-Doctor Communication About Opioid Tapering
          • American Pain Society Scientific Summit Explores Pain Mechanisms
          • American Pain Society’s 2018 Annual Meeting Explores Pain Mechanisms
          • Sleep Improves Pain and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Youth
          • Effective Pain Assessments Achieved by Targeting Multiple Pain Mechanisms
          • Post-surgery Pain Resolution Mechanisms Can Explain Healing Variability
          • Babies Feel Pain Even if They’re Not Crying
          • Literacy Deficiencies Restrict Access to Cognitive-Behavioral Pain Therapy
          • American Pain Society Endorses NIH Initiative to Curb Opioid Addiction
          • William Maixner, DDS, PhD Elected American Pain Society President
          • American Pain Society Endorses Compromise Marijuana Studies Act
          • Improved Access to Alternative Care Is Best Option to Curb Opioid Misuse
          • Newsroom 2018 News Releases
          • Pain Rehab Programs without Opioids Proving Effective
          • American Pain Society Selects Tonya Palermo, PhD Treasurer and Three New Directors
          • Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Effective for Fibromyalgia
          • Newsroom 2019 News Releases
        • Privacy Policy
        • Contact Us
        • Annual Reports
        • Career Center
        • 2016 Bylaws Proposed Changes
        • Call for Volunteers
        • APS News
          • General Blog View
            • APS Guidelines Set High Standard of Excellence
            • Funding Announcement
            • Member Benefit: The Power of Collaboration
            • Pain Research Agenda for the 21st Century
            • Register Now
            • 2015 Keller Grant Recipients
            • Clinical Trial Studies Effectiveness of Jyoti Meditation
            • Chiropractic Physicians Urge Conservative Approach to Pain Management
            • Closing the Sex Gap in Preclinical Pain Research
          • 2019 Plenary Biographies
            • Health & Wellness
  • Pain Care Outcomes Unaffected by Opioid Dose Reductions
    • Board – Resources
    • Board – Meetings
    • Board – Reporting
      • Board – Minutes
  • Health News

Natural Relief: How Castor Oil can Relieve Vaginal Dryness | Use And Benefits

Dryness of the vagina is a common condition found in women that primarily brings discomfort in everyday activities and sexual intercourse.

vaginal dryness

Dryness of the vagina is often caused by various reasons, including hormonal imbalance, stress, certain medications, and the natural aging process. Fortunately, natural remedies like castor oil are a mild approach compared to chemicals.

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Dryness of the vagina is a reduction in the natural lubrication of vaginal walls, resulting in irritation, itching, and pain during sex. The causes of this include:

  • Hormonal imbalances (e.g., menopause, lactation)
  • Drugs (such as antihistamines or antidepressants)
  • Stress and anxiety levels
  • Estrogen levels vary with age

Benefit of Castor Oil in Vaginal Dryness

Castor oil, derived from the seeds of the castor plant, has been utilized for its medicinal properties. Topical application offers some benefits in the management of vaginal dryness:

Natural Moisturizer: Castor oil is an excellent occlusive moisturizer that forms a barrier that traps the moisture and excludes dryness. This provides long-term moisture to the vaginal region, reducing dryness pain.

Natural Moisturizer: Castor oil is an excellent occlusive moisturizer that forms a barrier that traps the moisture and excludes dryness. This provides long-term moisture to the vaginal region, reducing dryness pain.

Healing and Relaxation Effects of Castor Oil: The relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil are capable of soothing the inflammation usually associated with vaginal dryness. For women suffering from pain or discomfort, particularly during intercourse, castor oil will heal the pain and accelerate healing of traumatized tissues.

Supports Hormonal Balance: Castor oil has been traditionally used to support hormonal balance in the body, particularly in women. Castor oil can be used to support the lymphatic system’s functionality and detoxify and support hormone regulation. As hormonal imbalance is one of the primary causes of vaginal dryness, keeping the body in hormonal balance could be the remedy for the condition.

Improved Blood Circulation: Castor oil’s active fatty acid ingredient, ricinoleic acid, is reported to improve circulation. Improved blood circulation ensures the supply of vital nutrients and oxygenation of vaginal tissues, and hence they become healthy and elastic. Healthy and well-nourished vaginal tissues are less likely to get inflamed and dry.

How to Use Castor Oil for Vaginal Dryness

How to Use Castor Oil for Vaginal Dryness

It is extremely easy to incorporate castor oil into your skin care. Here are a few tips:

External Application

Massage a small quantity of good-quality cold-pressed castor oil gently onto the vulva and outer vagina. This will soothe and lubricate dryness and irritation. Use sparingly with clean hands and do not rub.

Castor Oil Pack Soak a clean cloth or cotton pad in castor oil and apply it to your pelvis or lower abdomen. Cover it with plastic wrap and rest for 30 minutes to an hour. It is designed to relax, stimulate circulation, and allow the oil to penetrate deeper into the tissue.

Castor Oil Bath

Take a warm bath and add 5 to 10 drops of castor oil. Soak 15 to 20 minutes. This may hydrate and calm the entire body, including down there.

As a Lubricant

For quick relief:

Castor oil can be used as a lubricant. Due to its thick consistency, it will lubricate for several hours and prevent friction that would trigger extra dryness or irritation.

Precautions and Considerations

Patch Test: Conduct a patch test prior to final application to test whether there is any allergy.

Consult a Doctor: If you are experiencing recurring vaginal dryness, it is always best to consult a doctor to rule out any medical condition, such as vaginal infection, that must be treated by a physician.

Use in Moderation: While being natural, too much use can at times prove irritating.

Do Not Use Internally Without Medical Supervision: Use of cast oil inside the vagina should be done with care and under the guidance of a physician since it can disturb the body’s natural pH level and cause infection. 

Other Coping Mechanisms for Vaginal Dryness Stay Hydrated: Proper water intake is what keeps the whole body, including vaginal tissue, hydrated. Use Mild, Fragrance-Free Products: Use mild, fragrance-free products and avoid douches because they can disrupt the normal bacterial balance of the vagina.

Eat a Healthy Diet: A healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals keeps overall health, and thus vaginal health, intact. 

Regular Exercise: Regular exercise can physically increase circulation and hormone balance, both of which enhance vaginal health. Castor oil as a supplement to your regimen, apart from these habits, can naturally heal vaginal dryness. Refer to cold-pressed, high-quality castor oil, and consult a healthcare professional in case of doubts or symptoms persist.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only. If you’re experiencing any health concerns, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional to prevent any potential complications.

American Pain Society
  • 8735 W. Higgins Road, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60631
  • 847.375.4715
  • info@americanpainsociety.org
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Calendar
Career Center ›
Newsroom ›
About Us ›

©2019 American Pain Society • Privacy Policy »