The South Eastern NSW Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic at Milton is changing the lives of women from Helensburgh to the Victorian Border.
Since the doors opened in September 2023, the Medicare-funded clinic has seen 233 new clients including one woman who said the specialised team gave her “a sense of direction and hope” after living with pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, bowel changes, and sleep disturbance for years.
Aged in her 40s, the woman was diagnosed with adenomyosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis with extensive bowel involvement which will require surgery.
The patient is receiving support and clinical care to assist with pain management including pain reprocessing therapy, pelvic floor function, defecation dynamics training, pain science education, and strategies to unwind the body and mind, such as yoga.
She said she felt genuinely cared for by the Milton team.
“Before the first appointment, I had been feeling quite alone and uncertain about how to manage my pain, but thanks to your kindness and expertise, I now feel like I have a solid plan and the support I need to move forward,” she told the team.
“I cannot thank you enough for giving me a sense of direction and hope. Your compassion and dedication have made such a difference to me, and I’m deeply grateful."
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips is huge supporter of the endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic and said the positive response from patients reinforced the importance of providing accessible, specialist health support for women of all ages.
“As a wife and mother of four, I understand how women can struggle with a range of health conditions. I know women often put themselves last, and just put up with the pain,” she said.
“The endo clinic at Milton is opening the doors for women who may have been struggling with pain for years.
“It’s a safe place where the health professionals take time to really listen and valid women’s concerns.”
Mrs Phillips said the South Eastern NSW Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic was one of 33 clinics opening across the country that would be staffed to provide specialist support for conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, vaginismus, vulvodynia, IBS, prolapse and heavy or painful periods.
“With one in nine women living with endometriosis, it’s really essential that they receive good support and a timely diagnosis. And even better that they can access help close to home right here on the South Coast,” she said.
“Enometriosis and other pelvic issues can have a devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers, and women with the condition wait an average of seven years before diagnosis.
“The local health team is doing a fabulous job treating and creating awareness around this debilitating condition, and I encourage women to seek help if they are living with any kind of pelvic pain.”
Mrs Phillips has welcomed the Albanese Labor Government’s investment of $573.3 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and provide better health care for women.
“We’re adding contraceptives to the PBS for the first time, better access to long term contraceptives and more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants.
“And we’re delivering more Medicare support for women experiencing menopause, funding to train health professionals and the first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years.
“Women deserve to have their health care taken seriously and these changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes,” Mrs Phillips added.
Find out more about the Albanese Government’s $573.3 million Women’s Health Package
Find out more or book an appointment at the South Eastern NSW Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic
Photo: Dr Katie Macartney and Specialist Women’s Health Nurse Susan Wilford with Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips at the Medicare-funded South Eastern NSW Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic at Milton.
