Australia rolls out new endometriosis clinics - New Zealand falls behind

New Zealand is falling behind in the treatment of endometriosis as Australia rolls out new clinics.

In late April, the Australian Government launched 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country, bringing the total number to 33.

Endometriosis New Zealand says there are currently no endometriosis clinics in New Zealand.

“New Zealand has not opened endometriosis clinics because there is currently no funded national programme to establish them,” says Endometriosis New Zealand chief executive Tanya Cooke.

In 2018, Australia launched the world’s first National Action Plan for Endometriosis, backed by federal funding and bipartisan support.

The plan includes specialist clinics, improved GP training, public awareness campaigns, and access to subsidised diagnostic imaging such as MRIs.

Cooke says New Zealand also needs a similar plan, supported by dedicated funding.

“The changes required to improve endometriosis diagnosis, care and treatment sit across the health system. Specialist clinics would be an important part of that response, but they cannot sit in isolation,” she says.

“They need to be part of a coordinated national approach that addresses the nearly 10-year delay to diagnosis, long waits for specialist care, and inconsistent access to treatment across the country.”

Endometriosis affects an estimated 120,000 women across New Zealand, with many waiting years for diagnosis and treatment.

A recent study found that chronic pelvic pain costs the country around $22.6 billion annually, with around a quarter of women likely to experience it at some point in their lives.

Despite its prevalence, the condition remains poorly understood, with many facing delays of eight years or more before receiving a diagnosis.

For Margarita Shamonina, the journey to diagnosis took nearly a decade.

“It took years and years to get anything,” she says.

“I would always get the answer, ‘it’s just period pain… that’s natural.’”

Shamonina described the pain as severe and constant, at times leaving her unable to walk or carry out daily tasks.

Even after multiple hospital visits, she says she was often sent home with painkillers and no further investigation.

“I did feel like doctors have failed me at the start… it felt like it had been brushed off a lot as just a ‘bad period’.”

Second-year natural medicine student Isabella Suruthi says these experiences are not uncommon.

“Endometriosis is often referred to as an invisible disease.

“Women are taught that pain during their cycle is normal, when in reality severe symptoms require medical attention.”

She says a lack of awareness and education contributes to delays in diagnosis.

“I definitely think there is a gap in education… it becomes a systemic issue rather than just an issue with individual healthcare professionals.”

Endometriosis New Zealand says doctors often misdiagnose the condition as something else, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), appendicitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Delayed diagnosis can have significant impacts beyond physical health.

“Delays can cause a lot of friction in everyday life… from missing work to reduced quality of life,” says Suruthi.

“It can also be isolating and make women feel like they are not being heard.”

For Shamonina, the condition has affected nearly every aspect of her life.

“It has affected everything… my mental health, my work, my relationships, I’m not as social as I used to be.

Suruthi said more awareness, education, and investment in women’s health are needed to improve outcomes.

“Women’s health is heavily under-researched. Advocacy and education are key to improving diagnosis and treatment.”