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Endometriosis: The Uninvited Guest That Stays Way Too Long

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and whilst it is great that there is a spotlight shining on this condition at the moment, we still have a long way to go.

Nearly one million women, girls and those assigned female at birth have been diagnosed with endometriosis – that is 1 in 7! And that is those that have a diagnosis – unfortunately in the past there has been a trend of delayed diagnosis due to biases in women’s health. This in turn has led to many days off school, work and impacts on physical and mental wellbeing

GPs role in Endometriosis

GPs are usually the first port of call for a person presenting with endometriosis symptoms. We pride ourselves on providing long consultations to thoroughly explore all of your symptoms and hearing about your experiences. Common symptoms include (but are not limited to):

  • Painful periods – pain may start prior to period commencing and may radiate beyond the pelvis
  • Change in bowel habit
  • Pain opening bowels during period
  • Bladder pain/pain doing a wee
  • Heavy periods
  • Painful sex
  • Bloating
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches

 

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect the reproductive system, so a GP is perfectly placed to be the “hub in the wheel” of endometriosis management. We strongly advocate for a multidisciplinary team in symptom management, which may include:

  • Gynaecologist
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapist
  • Psychologist
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Dietitian
  • Urologist
  • Colorectal Surgeon
  • Pain Management Physician
  • Fertility Specialist

 

Patients are eligible to a chronic disease management plan to coordinate five Medicare-rebatable allied health consultations. It is important to remember that any plan is tailored to the individual person, there is no “one size fits all” and it may take some experimenting to get things right.

In addition to this, GPs are able to provide solutions around hormonal management of endometriosis including IUD insertion and pain management advice. There has been some wonderful updates to the PBS recently to include more affordable options for women. It is completely safe to use hormones to “take away” a period. Not all endometriosis requires surgery. At the same time, you do NOT have to “put up with it” – would you be told to “put up with” diabetes or high blood pressure?

 

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