Record funding for endometriosis clinics, treatment and education

Specialised women’s pain clinics with experts from gynaecologists to pelvic physiotherapists, dieticians and endometriosis nurses will be built in every state and territory through a $58 million budget commitment to help treat endometriosis.

The four-year funding commitment for endometriosis, which includes $16.4 million to establish two clinics in each state and territory, $5.1 million for early career research scholarships, and $25.2 million for access to Medicare-funded MRI scanning, is the largest ever investment in endometriosis treatment and research in Australia.

The federal government has announced $58 million over four years in funding for endometriosis treatment, research and education.Credit: iStock

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose wife Jenny lives with the condition, said it will bring relief and support to those with endometriosis through better diagnosis and treatment.

“I have seen firsthand with Jen just how debilitating endometriosis can be for women, the mental and physical toll it takes and it’s so important we continue to fund new services and treatments for the hundreds of thousands of women who suffer from endometriosis,” he said.

As part of the federal government’s 10-year women’s health strategy, the federal government will also make pre-pregnancy genetic testing for the three most common genetic disorders free, which will cost taxpayers $81 million over the next four years.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said it would be a relief to many prospective parents to ease access to genetic testing. Currently, testing for cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome is not subsidised and costs about $300.

“[This funding] will not only help Australians and their families but ensure they know and understand the risks of inheritable genetic disorders,” he said.

In 2018 Mr Hunt launched the national action plan for endometriosis, and already $22.5 million has been committed to it.

It’s estimated one in nine Australian women live with endometriosis. The condition is caused when the same type of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body, often causing pain and heavy bleeding. In some women, it can lead to infertility.

Despite its prevalence, endometriosis can take years to diagnose. So, part of the new funding will go towards education and awareness within medical circles as well as the broader community.

It includes $5.1 million to create an endometriosis management plan for GPs to support patients with the condition, $2 million to develop a guideline for specialists on how to deal with endometriosis at different stages of life. The federal government will spend $300,000 educating doctors and specialists on what is actually available and publicly funded.

The $25.2 million for MRI scanning will provide Medicare-subsidised imaging to women with severe endometriosis and other conditions that affect fertility, including polycystic ovaries, sarcomas and fibroids.

Retiring Liberal backbencher Nicolle Flint was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis in 2020, and said she understands first-hand how the announcement will change lives.

“My diagnosis explained everything; my period pain that I thought was normal, my heavy periods, clotting, my terrible bowel pain and related bowel issues and more,” she said.

“I have an amazing team of medical specialists who have my pain and my symptoms under control and that is what we want for everyone who has endo.”

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