A swift and smooth recovery after surgery is critical for anyone, but it's especially crucial for women, who are likely to be managing many different responsibilities. While there's a time and place for opioids, there are non-opioid pain management options to treat acute pain after common surgeries for women, like hysterectomies, mastectomies, breast reconstruction and cesarean sections (C-sections).

In our new education program, we help you understand effective non-opioid options and how to talk to your healthcare provider about making a pain management plan for a better recovery after surgery, including enhanced recovery after surgery protocols (ERAS), which involve the use of medications that may include opioids but aim to lessen the amount needed or eliminate the need for opioid use after surgery altogether.

The bottom line is: It's important to feel empowered to ask about all the options that are available for pain management.

This resource has been created with support from Pacira BioSciences, Inc.

There Are Alternatives to Opioids for Pain After Surgery

I Recovered From Surgery on My Own Terms

Fast Facts: Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management After Common Surgeries for Women

Want to Manage Postsurgical Pain Without Opioids? There Are Other Options.

Why You Need to Advocate for Yourself and Create a Pain Management Treatment Plan Before Surgery

Breast Surgery and Opioids: What You Need to Know

Non-Opioid Pain Management Education Program

Pain levels after surgery are different for everyone. It is important that you make your own pain management plan with your doctor after exploring opioid or non-opioid options.

There are a variety of non-opioid pain management options to treat acute pain after common surgeries for women, like hysterectomies, mastectomies, breast reconstruction and cesarean sections (C-sections). For more information, be sure to contact your healthcare provider and visit the links provided below.

HealthyWomen Resources

• Why You Need to Advocate for Yourself and Create a Pain Management Treatment Plan Before Surgery
• Want to Manage Postsurgical Pain Without Opioids? There Are Other Options.
• Fast Facts: Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management After Common Surgeries for Women
• RWRS: I Recovered from Surgery on My Own Terms
• There Are Alternatives to Opioids for Pain After Surgery
• Breast Surgery and Opioids: What You Need to Know

Additional Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Acute Pain after Surgery
• CDC: Acute Pain Infographic