More young Australians are now diagnosed with endometriosis than ever before, so what’s our government doing?

One in seven of us.

A new report has revealed that endometriosis is more widespread than previously thought. One in seven Australian women aged between 44 and 49 are living with endometriosis, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Findings also reveal the rate of endometriosis hospitalisations has increased by 24 per cent among women aged 20 and 24 in the past decade (with 40,500 admissions recorded between 2021 and 2022).

One in seven Australians with a uterus suffers from endometriosis, the chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. It can cause heavy periods, irregular bleeding, severe pelvic pain, fatigue, skin issues, internal inflammation and scarring and fertility issues. It can damage organs, muscles and nerves. That’s currently over 830,000 people grappling with this cureless condition.

Globally, it’s thought that one in 10 people with a uterus has endometriosis. In AIHW’s latest update, it remarks that the increase in diagnosis “may reflect increased awareness of endometriosis among the general public and health professionals, leading to increased diagnosis and/or participant reporting of diagnosis or treatment among women born more recently”.

Back in March last year, the Australian government announced they’ll be allocating a record $58 million in funding toward endometriosis diagnosis and treatment. Under the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, the funding will be used to establish specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics in every state and territory to improve support for Australians suffering from this debilitating medical condition.

In March this year, it was announced the federal government is increasing the number of clinics from 16 to 20, with each clinic receiving around $700,000 over four years. These funds will be used to help hire, train and develop specialised staff (including nurse practitioners and allied health professionals), and will also go towards the purchases of equipment and fit-outs, like pelvic physiotherapy areas.

“These clinics are about providing women with an accessible front door to the care that they need,” Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP says. “Gathering expertise under one roof, fostering that knowledge to improve diagnosis and services, having referral pathways in place – these are all crucial elements to getting the support that women need right.”

Ultimately, the goal is to minimise the impact of endometriosis on Australians’ quality of life. “Too many women suffer for years with what we know can be debilitating conditions. They deserve to have their concerns be taken seriously with better access to specialised care,” Kearney says.

“The recognition of endometriosis and pelvic pain as serious conditions has been a long and hard-fought battle from fierce advocates in the sector and in our communities. I want to say to those people – thank you and we’re listening.”

In New South Wales, six clinics will be based in Orange, Hunters Hill, Leichardt, Mittagong, Milton and Coffs Harbour. Four clinics will be placed in Victoria in Ringwood East, Bendigo, Belmont and Warrnambool. An additional four will be in Queensland – in Morayfield, Benowa, Cairns and Bardon.

You’ll find a clinic in Albany and Murdoch in Western Australia, Kadina in South Australia, Glenorchy in Tasmania, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, and Coconut Grove in the Northern Territory.

Given the $58 million sum is the largest amount to ever be invested in endometriosis in Australia, the funding will also address a range of other issues. It will allow people with endometriosis-related fertility issues to access Medicare-funded MRI scans, enable doctors to develop endometriosis management plans for patients in primary care, increase research, education and awareness about endometriosis, and promote access to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme for those in the process of being diagnosed and/or treated for endometriosis.

Unfortunately, due to a general lack of research, awareness and funding, endometriosis has long been overlooked by medical professionals, and it can take an average of six and a half years to receive a diagnosis. Without appropriate treatment and care, the condition can worsen, impacting patients’ mental health, relationships, employment and the overall quality of their lives.

This article was originally published on March 23, 2023.

Read more about endometriosis here.