Navigating Pelvic Pain Care: A Digital Approach

In this case study, Bloume, an alumnus company of the Accelerating FemTech programme, shares how their AI-powered digital solution helps women suffering from chronic pelvic pain.

Overview 

Women are disproportionately affected by pain. This is a phenomenon known as the Gender Pain Gap, which is systematically dismissed and overlooked. Globally, one in four women live with chronic pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis and vulvodynia.

Chronic pelvic pain extends far beyond physical discomfort and can affect an individual’s mental health, relationships, work and economic burden, as well as negatively impact their overall quality of life. Despite this, diagnoses are frequently delayed, women encounter disbelief regarding their pain, and there remains a significant lack of comprehensive support and solutions.

Bloume is the world’s first AI-powered digital solution for pelvic pain. Their innovative and comprehensive digital care solution provides users with psychological support, pelvic floor physiotherapy as well as sex and relationship therapy.

Thanks to Bloume, I have improved my mental and physical health. The combination of techniques, both physical and psychological, was most beneficial to me.

Rachel
Bloume Study Participant

Journey 

Bloume was founded by Dr Claudia Chisari, a Chartered Psychologist with a PhD in Vulvodynia who serves as an Honorary Research Fellow at King’s College London. Driven by her lived experience and frustration with the lack of solutions available to women enduring persistent pelvic pain, Claudia developed Bloume to make a difference in the women’s health sector.

Utilising a clinically validated biopsychosocial approach, Bloume can manage pelvic pain that addresses a patient’s mental health, physical health, and social circumstances. This multidisciplinary approach is the most effective when it comes to long-term pain and results in improved well-being across all areas of health, as well as an overall better quality of life.

By employing a clinically validated biopsychosocial approach, Bloume effectively addresses pelvic pain by addressing patients’ mental health, physical well-being, and social circumstances. This comprehensive method has proven highly effective in achieving long-term pain management and enhancing overall well-being. As a result, patients experience significant improvements across all facets of health, leading to a notably improved quality of life.

Support from Accelerating FemTech 

Through the Accelerating FemTech programme, Bloume was able to connect with fellow founders, clinicians, and entrepreneurs, expanding their network and fostering knowledge exchange through peer learning. The team has also described the programme as the “best one they have been on so far”.

Impact/Outcomes 

• First single-case experimental design (SCED) study suggests improved pain or sexual outcomes in women with Vulvodynia, particularly in pain-acceptance and committed-action
• Enabling digital chronic pelvic pain care for women
• Providing biopsychosocial (e.g., multidisciplinary) care cost-effectively
• Has the potential to reduce pressure on the NHS, particularly in gynaecology waitlists

Bloume gave me the opportunity to improve both my physical and emotional health from the comfort of my own home. Living with pain can feel isolating and debilitating. My knowledge of the pelvic floor and Vulvodynia has improved so much. This programme and the experts made me feel so supported and hopeful.

Sara
Bloume Study Participant

Next Steps 

Bloume plans to utilise the BMC grant to continue building their AI solution, eventually launching their care system for women across the country.

To find out more about Bloume, please visit their website.

Accelerating FemTech helps early-stage companies, university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs focused on women’s health to gain the commercial and funding momentum they need for long-term success. The 10-week programme supports innovators to prepare for a special closed-call funding opportunity through Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst, delivered alongside a collaborative learning programme and facilitated networking with key NHS and health sector stakeholders. 

Accelerating FemTech is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London and its partners. It utilises Innovate UK funding as part of the Biomedical Catalyst, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council. The programme builds upon the experience of running the award-winning DigitalHealth.London Accelerator, Propel and other innovator support programmes from the health innovation networks. The first cohort ran from May 2023, where alumni were awarded more than £1m in funding through the Biomedical Catalyst. The second cohort will run between 2024 and 2025. Register your interest now and learn more about Accelerating FemTech via our website.