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Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic and often painful condition that affects an estimated 1 in 9 Australian women and people assigned female at birth by the age of 44.

Olika, a Canberra-based women’s health clinic, provides empathetic, evidence-based care for individuals living with endometriosis.

This condition can significantly impact quality of life, fertility, and emotional wellbeing. Early diagnosis and a personalised treatment approach are key to managing symptoms and improving long-term outcomes.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus. These tissue deposits can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, bowel, bladder, and other pelvic organs.

Each month, this tissue responds to hormonal changes in the same way as the uterine lining – thickening, breaking down, and bleeding. However, because it is outside the uterus, the blood has nowhere to go, causing inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue and adhesions.

The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood, but several theories exist:

  • Retrograde menstruation: Menstrual blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity.
  • Genetics: Endometriosis often runs in families.
  • Immune dysfunction: The immune system may fail to eliminate misplaced endometrial cells.
  • Hormonal and environmental factors may also play a role.

Risk factors include:

  • Early onset of menstruation
  • Heavy or prolonged periods
  • Short menstrual cycles
  • A family history of endometriosis

Endometriosis symptoms vary widely. Some women experience severe symptoms, while others have none. Common symptoms include:

  • Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
  • Pelvic pain outside of menstruation
  • Pain during or after sexual intercourse
  • Pain with bowel movements or urination
  • Heavy or irregular bleeding
  • Fatigue
  • Infertility

These symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), making diagnosis challenging.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:

  • Detailed medical history and symptom review
  • Pelvic examination
  • Imaging tests, such as pelvic ultrasound or MRI
  • Laparoscopy (a minimally invasive surgical procedure) remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. During this procedure, tissue can be both diagnosed and removed or treated by a specialist.

Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. The condition can affect fertility by:

  • Damaging the fallopian tubes or ovaries
  • Altering the pelvic anatomy
  • Creating inflammation that affects egg quality or implantation

Not all women with endometriosis are infertile, and many go on to conceive naturally or with the help of fertility treatment.

While there is no cure for endometriosis, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment is personalised depending on symptoms, age, and whether fertility is a concern.

Medical Treatments

  • Pain relief: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen
  • Hormonal therapies: These include the oral contraceptive pill, hormonal IUD, progestogen-only pills, and GnRH analogues. These treatments reduce or stop menstruation, which in turn lessens symptoms.

Surgical Treatment

  • Laparoscopic excision or ablation: Removes or destroys endometrial tissue
  • Hysterectomy: May be considered in severe cases where other treatments have failed and fertility is not a concern

Lifestyle and Supportive Therapies

  • Dietary modifications and regular exercise
  • Pelvic physiotherapy
  • Psychological support, including counselling or therapy for chronic pain and emotional wellbeing

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, endometriosis accounts for a significant proportion of gynaecological hospitalisations. Despite its prevalence, diagnosis can take an average of 6-to-8 years, often due to normalisation of symptoms or misdiagnosis.

In 2018, the Australian Government released the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, aimed at improving awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and research – highlighting the growing recognition of this serious condition.

Personalised Care at Olika

Olika recognises the unique challenges that come with living with endometriosis. Care is focused on you as an individual – acknowledging the physical and emotional toll while providing evidence-based, compassionate treatment.

Our services include:

  • Assessment of your symptoms
  • Organise appropriate investigations, including imaging referrals
  • Create a management plan for pain management
  • Advice on pain management and hormonal treatment as per current guidelines
  • Referral to allied health specialists such as pelvic pain physiotherapist and psychologist
  • Referral to specialist gynaecologist for further assessment and surgical management as necessary.
  • Ongoing support for symptoms and fertility management

Take the First Step

If you suspect you may have endometriosis or have been diagnosed and need expert care, contact Olika today. Based in Canberra, our women’s health team is here to support you on your path to better health, relief, and understanding. We work closely with the specialists to provide the best outcomes for you.

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