Pelvic pain is any pain that is experienced in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, from below the belly button and across to the hips. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health found that 47% of women experienced pelvic pain in the last 5 years (Pelvic Pain in Australian Women Report).
ACT Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic
Endometriosis is one of the many reasons a women may experience Pelvic Pain. Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 9 Australian women and can have an extensive, devastating impact on the daily lives of sufferers. To address this issue, governments and health organisations have identified this topic as one of their priority areas for study and treatment.
Since 2023, Capital Health Network, ACT’s Primary Health Network has commissioned Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) to run the_ACT Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic program within the ACT. Patients are offered an initial funded 45-minute Nurse appointment at the clinic, to get an understanding about their condition, needs and goals. Based on this, a tailored care plan is created which, where possible, a multidisciplinary care is provided.
Appointments for the_ACT Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic can be booked on their website.
ACT Pelvic Pain Network
In addition to the clinic, SHFPACT aims to provide education and support to health care providers in the region through the ACT Pelvic Pain Network. The ACT Pelvic Pain Network is committed to improving
pelvic pain outcomes, by fostering interprofessional collaboration and referral pathways for pelvic pain management and advancing practice through professional development.
The Pelvic Pain Network provides members with an up-to-date directory of clinicians within the ACT who have an interest in pelvic pain, to help simplify referral pathways and encourage multidisciplinary teamwork.
Dr Frommer, Senior Medical Officer at SHFPACT, believes that the Pelvic Pain Network has many flow-on effects on patients.
“The Network supports practitioners to feel confident and supported in managing pelvic pain, while reducing the rates of burnout. We also improve the quality of referrals for patients, ensuring patients are more likely to get the care they need, when they need it,” said Dr Frommer.
“I know personally my patients have been very thankful for the more personalised referrals and recommendations for providers that I have been able to provide since the network has been established.”
The Pelvic Pain Network is primarily open to Ahpra-registered health care workers working in the area of, or who have interest in, Pelvic Pain. Some of the disciplines that are part of the network include GPs, Gynaecologists, Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Osteopaths, Nurses and Psychologists. To register for the Pelvic Pain Network, register through_ACT Pelvic Pain Network Clinician Directory.
