Pelvic Pain — Without the Mystery with Dr Claudia Chisari

Spotlight on Bloume, the App Supporting Women with Pelvic and Vulval Pain

For too many women, pelvic and vulval pain is a confusing, isolating, and frustrating experience. It’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply dismissed. Whether it’s sharp, aching, burning, or just not quite right, the pain is real — and it can deeply impact your quality of life, intimate relationships, and mental wellbeing.

At P.Happi, we regularly hear from women who struggle with persistent pain, especially those recovering from chronic infections like recurrent UTIs or thrush.

That’s why we’re so excited to shine a light on Bloume, a new digital support platform that’s helping bring clarity and calm to pelvic pain. Bloume is an evidence-based app offering personalised guidance to help people better understand and manage their pelvic and vulval pain — from triggers to treatment options and self-care routines.

We sat down with the founder of Bloume, Dr Claudia Chisari, to ask a few important questions:

What inspired you to start Bloume — was it based on your own experience with pelvic or vulval pain?

Yes, both my personal journey and my professional background shaped Bloume. I started experiencing vulvodynia in my early 20s, after a pelvic surgery. It was incredibly hard to find any support or treatments that worked, and I felt very alone in it. At the time, I had just started my MSc in Psychology Applied to Medicine at King’s College London and was already interested in supporting people with long-term conditions. When I searched the academic literature, I found almost nothing on vulvodynia, and that shocked me (despite it affecting 1 in 7 women). So I made it the focus of my MSc thesis, and later my PhD. Bloume is the platform I wish I’d had back then: practical, compassionate, and evidence-based.

Pelvic pain is so often dismissed or misunderstood. In your experience, what are some of the most common causes — and how can women start to get clarity on what’s going on in their bodies?

Pelvic and vulval pain can have many different causes, from Endometriosis and Vulvodynia to Fibroids, Adenomyosis, hormonal changes, or nerve irritation. Sometimes, infections such as recurrent UTIs or thrush can trigger pain that persists even after the infection is gone. The first step is recognising that your pain is real and deserves attention. Keeping a symptom diary, seeking specialist input, and exploring whether the pain has musculoskeletal, hormonal, or nerve-related origins can help bring clarity. And if your GP or other professionals aren’t offering solutions, it’s worth looking for a specialist in vulvar or pelvic pain; the key is to never ignore pain and keep looking for a solution.

At P.Happi, we often hear from women who have recurring UTIs, thrush, or vulval discomfort that lingers even after the infection clears. Do you see a connection between these conditions and chronic pelvic pain?

Absolutely. Repeated infections can act as a “trigger” that leaves the body’s pain system on high alert. Even when the infection itself has cleared, the nerves and tissues can stay sensitised and keep sending pain signals. This is why pain can continue even without an active infection. Over time, this can also affect the pelvic floor muscles and the nervous system more broadly, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. Addressing chronic pelvic pain often means going beyond just treating infections, we need to support the nervous system, the pelvic floor, and the whole person to help calm everything down.

A lot of women we speak to are hesitant to use local oestrogen or are looking for non-hormonal, microbiome-friendly solutions. Do you see a role for products like P.Happi as part of a holistic pelvic care approach?

Definitely. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to pelvic health. For some, local oestrogen is important, especially during menopause. But for others, microbiome-friendly products, like those from P.Happi, can be a great addition to their care plan. Supporting the vaginal microbiome can reduce irritation and inflammation, which in turn helps protect against pain flare-ups.

What are some small but powerful things women can do at home to better manage pelvic pain — or at least feel more in control of it?

Gentle pelvic floor relaxation exercises, pacing your activities, and pain management practices can all make a real difference. Using warmth (like a hot water bottle) or cool packs, practicing diaphragmatic breathing, and avoiding irritants such as harsh soaps or tight clothing can help too. Just as importantly, giving yourself permission to rest and not push through pain can be empowering.

It’s also worth saying that psychological and sex therapy support can be really helpful. That doesn’t mean the pain is “in your head”, it’s about recognising how pelvic pain affects quality of life, relationships, body image, and even how you feel about yourself as a woman. These are very real impacts, and support in this area can be transformative.

Bloume offers personalised, evidence-based support. What does that look like in practice — and how can it help women feel less alone in their journey?

Bloume provides structured support tailored to each person’s symptoms and goals.
We provide 3 types of support, making it a digital pain companion app that’s always there for you: psychological support/mental health, pelvic floor physio, and sex/relationship therapy.

 For some, that might mean psychological support to calm the nervous system and build coping strategies. For others, it might include pelvic floor physiotherapy, or tools for navigating intimacy and relationship challenges. The app also offers education to help people make sense of their symptoms, and that alone can be powerful. Many women tell us that simply knowing they’re not alone, and that others face similar challenges, is deeply validating and reassuring.

If there’s one thing you wish more women knew or felt empowered to ask about their pelvic health, what would it be?

That pelvic pain is not something you have to “just put up with.” It’s not in your head, and it’s not a reflection of your worth. You deserve answers, support, and treatments that truly help. Asking questions, seeking second opinions, and exploring different options is not a weakness, it’s self-advocacy, and it’s a vital step toward getting the care you deserve.

Bloume’s work sits perfectly alongside what we do at P.Happi — supporting women with science-backed, microbiome-friendly solutions. Pain isn’t “in your head” — and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re experiencing pelvic discomfort or unexplained vulval pain, Bloume might be a valuable addition to your self-care journey. Their approach is grounded in empathy, data, and clinical expertise — something we believe every woman deserves.

Learn more about Bloume or book a session:
👉 bloumehealth.com/book-session