Women with endometriosis are to be able to expect better diagnosis and treatment, following the release of new guidelines for national clinical practice.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the new Australian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis, commissioned by the Department of Health, provided up to date, evidence-based guidance to support the highest quality care in a variety of healthcare settings.
“Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, which can be devastating for some sufferers but is often undiagnosed, although it affects one in nine women and girls,” Mr Hunt said.
“It involves cells similar to the endometrium (uterus) growing in other locations, usually in the pelvis but sometimes in other tissue and organs,” he said.
“As well as endometriosis, (the new Guideline) provides guidance on diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis— a related condition that can occur on its own or in conjunction with endometriosis, and is often overlooked.”
Mr Hunt said the Guideline was developed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), with assistance from a working group which included a range of healthcare professionals, patients and carers.
Federal MP for Forrest, Nola Marino said the Guideline would assist healthcare professionals, as well as people with endometriosis or adenomyosis, their families, carers and the public.
“It will promote consistency of care, and improve the experience of women with these conditions,” Ms Marino said.
Federal MP for Boothby, Nicolle Flint said the timeframe from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis could be between seven and 12 years, despite endometriosis affecting an estimated 700,000 Australian girls and women.
The 70-page Guideline can be accessed at this PS News link.
