Endometriosis Clinic
Endometriosis is a condition where there is the presence of endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) in areas outside the uterus. This commonly presents as painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) or issues with fertility but other symptoms can include bladder and bowel pain and pain during sex. It is estimated that endometriosis affects 1 in 9 women in Australia but diagnosis is often delayed or missed.
Endometriosis is probably the most common cause but birth trauma, surgery and pelvic infections can all cause persistent pelvic pain. The approach to improving symptoms is similar regardless of the cause.
In 2023, the Federal Government announced limited funding for the development of 22 clinics nationwide to facilitate care for women with Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain. Inner West Women’s Health has been selected to develop an endometriosis and pelvic pain service to improve access to diagnosis and management of these conditions. We are using the funding to create a model of care and deliver education and training to other GPs and clinics so that they will be able to implement similar care in other areas of Sydney and NSW.
Our aim is to improve access and care for those living with endometriosis and pelvic pain extending beyond our small clinical service.
For this reason, we will ask you to consent to use your de-identified data to track our progress and may ask you to complete a feedback questionnaire along your journey.
Our Clinic
We have designed a comprehensive and holistic consultation service for patients that involves a series of appointments over a 6-12 month period to help improve diagnosis, pain management, and function.
Your management plan will likely involve being referred to other providers such as women’s health physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists and gynaecologists, depending on what your health needs are. We have developed professional relationships with many of these providers and will be able to refer you to clinicians with expertise in endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Our goal is to educate and empower women about this condition and to identify and understand their triggers. We hope to give you the knowledge and confidence to manage your pain and flares with the help of your own GP and healthcare team.
Our service is a consultation service. Our doctors are not able to continue being your long-term GP.
Fees
Our clinic is privately billing, and we are unable to offer bulk billing.
Our consultations and procedures attract a Medicare rebate which can be processed for you on the day.
The cost of the initial 45 minute appointment is $240 (Medicare rebate $117.40)
Follow up appointments are 30-minute appointments and the fee for those appointments is $170 (Medicare rebate $79.70)
The Federal government has identified the following at risk groups, and we will offer a reduction in fees for these groups:
16-24 year olds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Refugees
Any additional services such as IUD or Implanon insertions, mental health plans and care plans will attract additional fees.
See here for our full fee list
What to expect at your first Appointment
Your first appointment will take around 45-minutes. This will involve history taking, reviewing previous test results and examination, this may include an internal examination. (This can be deferred if you are not comfortable with that.)
Please bring to your appointment:
Any previous specialist letters or operation reports e.g. laparoscopy, endoscopy/colonoscopy
Reports of any previous imaging you have had e.g. pelvic ultrasound
We strongly encourage you to come to your first appointment with some goals in mind so that we can understand what is most important to you when planning your care.
To get the most out of your appointment and to help with research and data collection, please complete the following questionnaires prior to your appointment and email them back to admin@iwwh.com.au.