After three decades of underfunded research and limited treatment options, outcomes for endometriosis have improved. The long-term goal is to advance the quality of life for individuals and communities affected by the disease. Now, it’s about giving women with endometriosis more choices in their healthcare. But does this progress make endometriosis care more affordable and accessible for Australian patients?
Source: Healthdirect
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where cells from the uterine lining grow outside the womb, affecting other areas of the body. These cells can cause fibrous tissue, scar tissue, and inflammation, mainly in the pelvic area. The condition also causes life-altering challenges, including infertility and painful sexual intercourse, with symptoms often returning after treatment.
As the condition evolves, researchers at The University of Queensland have found genetic links between endometriosis and several pain conditions, such as migraines and asthma. In rare cases, endometriosis can spread beyond the pelvic region, sometimes even affecting the brain. Since symptoms vary widely between patients, diagnosing the condition can be complex and time-consuming. In fact, an official diagnosis can take anywhere from seven to twelve years, and surgery remains the only way to detect the condition in its early stages.
According to Endometriosis Australia, one in nine women, adolescents, and individuals assigned female at birth are affected by the condition. The Australian Journal of General Practice notes that common treatments include hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill and IUDs, as well as surgery. However, pain management is often seen as a “band-aid” solution, driving demand for holistic treatments that address the condition’s underlying causes. A 2023 study showed that available treatments were “limited”, with many patients reporting that surgery sometimes led to unwanted symptomatic outcomes. These widespread side effects and limited treatment options continue to cause suffering for the 176 million women worldwide living with endometriosis. However, growing awareness and research are paving the way for better treatments, and, eventually, a cure.
Women battling endometriosis
The health conversations overlooked in our teens and 20s have accepted severe period pain as something simply “normal”. Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as bladder disorders and full-body inflammation—issues that cannot be simply dismissed as that time of the month. Depending on where the tissue is located, the condition isn’t caused by contractions of the uterus. This pain may not react to the over-the-counter pain medication. However, neither the intensity of the pain nor the size of the lesions determines the seriousness of the disease. As a result, many women feel that these “embarrassing” symptoms have disrupted their social and work commitments. It’s crucial to educate ourselves on the impact of endometriosis, as highlighted by participants in a qualitative study published in 2025. They described that it influences job roles, career longevity, family relationships, education, and social connections. The impacts listed in the participant study show that the overall quality of life for those affected is significantly diminished.
MCRI LongSTEPPP Project, Source: MCRI
For 16-year-old Ruby , part of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s LongSTEPPP Project, the focus is on finding care for period pain, pelvic pain, and endometriosis in young people. Missing schoolwork, exams, and social events is just one of the realities faced by Ruby and many young girls with endometriosis. She recalled, “most teenagers never leave the house without their phone, but I never left the house without my painkillers.” Despite the intrusive nature of diagnostic testing, studies show that between 67-73% of adolescents with severe period pain are found to have endometriosis when surgery is conducted. The debilitating pain of endometriosis, combined with stigma, prevents many adolescent girls from seeking proper medical care. There is limited literature on how both mental and physical shaming, as symptoms of endometriosis, affect young patients’ ability to seek the help they need. Notably, Professor Grover from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute said, “there is limited education to ensure young people seek help for their period problems…” With proper health education on endometriosis, adolescents can engage in positive discussions about chronic conditions in school settings.
Improving access to affordable endometriosis care
In July 2018, Australia launched the National Action Plan for Endometriosis (NAPE), committing $87.19 million to create specialised clinics focused on improving disease management. The country’s efforts to tackle endometriosis helped raise awareness and set a global standard for research and care, surpassing even the UK. Shaped by public input, the plan sought to accurately measure the disease’s burden and called for further research into its symptoms. As the first five-year phase of the National Action Plan for Endometriosis comes to a close, the next step is to expand access to cost-effective treatments.
The federal government announced a $573m investment in women’s health on February 9th 2025, with a focus on endometriosis care. Starting July 21st 2025, a new health package of oral contraceptives and hormone therapies is added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Starting March 1st, 2025, medications like Yaz, Yasmin, and Visanne are added to the PBS, significantly lowering costs for patients. For example, the cost of Visanne is going to drop from over $800 to just $380 annually, with pensioners and concession cardholders paying only $90 per year. Visanne, in particular, plays a critical role in managing endometriosis by shrinking abnormal tissue and relieving symptoms such as fatigue, infertility, and menstrual pain. As Laura Jeffries noted in the SBS News Podcast, “I estimate it will positively impact between 400,000 and 500,000 Australian women, as well as those who support and care for them.” Building on recent medical advancements in endometriosis, research into specialised Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics can enhance care. Supported by GP referrals, these clinics offer in-depth consultations focused on early intervention, ensuring women have access to timely treatment.
Currently, the Federal Government, in collaboration with Health Minister Mark Butler, is emphasising the importance of choice and control in addressing women’s healthcare needs. New research into cost-effective treatments for endometriosis, along with increased Medicare funding and bulk billing for birth control implants could save patients up to $400 in personal expenses. Resources are also being directed toward common treatments, while Proteomics International in Perth is exploring blood tests as a potential diagnostic tool. Although the test is currently expensive, ongoing studies suggest it could reduce hospital admissions and enable earlier diagnosis. All in all, research into the healing properties of endometriosis seeks to help women with the condition feel understood and supported.
Source: NewsGP
The future
The road to recovery is long, and many with endometriosis face extended hospital stays when dealing with symptoms. However, patients remain hopeful as research-driven Medicare improvements provide greater access to treatments. By 2025, advancements have led to faster, less invasive tests and a reduction in the cost of safe, existing medications. With increased media attention, endometriosis has broken taboo, shedding light on the emotional, physical, and social challenges of living with the condition. As the conversation evolves, these developments bring hope for a brighter future, with greater awareness and more effective solutions for those affected. States and territories must prioritise funding for endometriosis care. Without this care, the lack of treatment options will only widen, leaving women with no choice but to face unnecessary suffering.