Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 9 Australian women, with over 830,000 individuals diagnosed nationwide. This complex condition not only causes debilitating pain but also costs the Australian economy an estimated $9.7 billion annually through healthcare costs and lost productivity.
At biio, we recognise the urgent need for effective management strategies, and we've found that interdisciplinary care can provide significant benefits for patients struggling with endometriosis. Today, we'd like to share a case study that illustrates the power of this approach.
Sarah, a 32-year-old woman, had been suffering from debilitating pelvic pain for over four years. Despite multiple consultations and treatments, her pain remained poorly controlled, significantly impacting her quality of life and ability to work.
Upon referral to biio, Sarah was assessed by our interdisciplinary team, including a pain specialist, pelvic floor physiotherapist, and psychologist. The team identified several factors contributing to her pain:
The team developed a comprehensive care plan that included:
The hypogastric plexus neurotomy was performed as an initial intervention. This procedure involves interrupting nerve pathways that transmit pain signals from the pelvic region to the brain. The reduction in pain following this procedure allowed Sarah to engage more effectively in pelvic floor physiotherapy.
With reduced pain levels, Sarah was able to perform pelvic floor exercises and participate in manual therapy sessions without excessive discomfort. This progress in physiotherapy, combined with ongoing psychological support, led to significant improvements in her pain levels and overall function.
Six months after initiating interdisciplinary care:
At biio, we're committed to providing this level of comprehensive, interdisciplinary care for all our patients with chronic pelvic pain. If you, or someone you know, think you might benefit from this approach, we welcome your bookings.
