Endometriosis is a condition where the innermost layer of uterus-endometrium grows in locations outside the uterus.
Treating endometriosis is not simply about cutting out (surgery) the offending areas. Comprehensive treatment aims to address your functional goals and often requires a team approach including GPs (at the clinic and your usual GP), physiotherapist, dietitian, gynaecologist, psychologist, endocrinologist, ultrasound radiologist, pain specialist and others as needed.
Consistent pelvic pain is defined as pain in the area of the pelvis which is present on most days for more than 6 months. Pelvic pain may relate to any of the pelvic organs, including bowel, bladder, or reproductive organs, as well as the pelvic muscles.
Pain is both a physical process arising from local nerve irritation but also a psychological process which involves our bodies sensitisation to pain and thus our perception of such pain.
Treating chronic pain thus requires multiple modalities such as diet, exercise, relaxation modalities, medications, physiotherapy, psychology and much more.
In 2023, the Federal Government announced limited funding for the development of 20 clinics nationwide to facilitate care for women with Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain. The Hunters Hill Medical Practice Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic is one such clinic. We aim to use the funding for a combination of staff education, improved resourcing, patient awareness and some clinical services as part of a multidisciplinary clinic approach. This will help improve timely access to care and treatment for appropriate patients.
Prior to your initial consultation, you will be asked to complete this pre-consultation survey. We ask that you complete and return this to us at your earliest convenience. Your responses will be tabulated and forwarded to one of our GPs to better facilitate your consultation and plan. Your data will be treated confidentially with only those responsible for your care accessing it.
A few days after we receive your completed questionnaire, you will be contacted by our clinic nurse to arrange your first appointment with one of our GPs and answer any questions you may have.
A full history will be taken and reviewed by one of our GPs. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, pain, and lifestyle. You will likely have a physical examination and may also need to have an internal examination (please advise the doctor if you are not able to do this).
After your initial consultation, a treatment and management plan will be created for you based on your goals and the doctor’s recommendations. We embrace a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and your plan may include:
Every patient who attends the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic will have FREE access to “Empowered Relief”, a 2-2.5 hour, evidence-based group online pain class run by a psychologist (Amanda Patterson). This session equips patients with pain management skills and has been shown to be equivalent to 6 one-hour cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. This session has measurable long-term benefits with regards to pain intensity, pain anxiety, low mood, fatigue, and sleep disturbance.
Every patient who attends the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic will have FREE access to a 1-1.5hour session on diet education run by a dietitian (Tatiana Bedikian from Body Fusion). Endometriosis pain can affect and co-exist with irritable bowel symptoms, constipation, bloating etc. This session will give you practical dietary and nutrition advice for bowel-related symptoms commonly associated with Endometriosis and will include a question-and-answer session. A handout with all the information will be available for patients following each session.
It is important to remember that The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic works with your GP and does not replace your local GP. In fact, we expect to see most patients for about 3 months or less before transferring care back to their usual GP. Your own GP is connected to your local community and is likely to have known you for some time, they are best placed to manage your care long-term.
Pelvic pain and endometriosis are chronic conditions where resolution may not be possible and functional outcomes are a better measure of success. We help you set health goals and advise you how to achieve them.
The practice is a private billing practice and for most patients some gaps apply.
Click here to complete the endometriosis clinic questionnaire. Kindly also provide any blood tests, ultrasound results, specialist letters or related to help us prepare for your consult and avoid repetition. Please supply these electronically to clinic@hhmp.com.au.
Our clinic nurse will assist you with making all the necessary appointments and will be your point of contact throughout your time as a patient of the clinic. We look forward to looking after you.
