FAQs

Persistent (chronic) pelvic pain is common, affecting 15-25% of Australian women/people assigned female at birth, yet it has historically been poorly understood and managed. Persistent pelvic pain is defined as recurrent pain in the pelvis (the area below the belly button and between the hips) for more than six months.

Persistent pelvic pain is almost always multifactorial (meaning there are many things that can contribute). For more information see here

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition where cells similar to those that line the uterus (endometrium) are found outside the uterus (most commonly in the pelvis). Endometriosis can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, fatigue, bladder/bowel dysfunction and in some cases infertility. It is estimated to impact 1 in 7 Australian women/people assigned female at birth.

Not all people with persistent pelvic pain will have endometriosis, and not all people with endometriosis will have persistent pain, so individualised assessment and advice is recommended.

For more information go to https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/endometriosis

Our clinic service is available to females/people assigned female at birth who are experiencing persistent pelvic pain lasting more than six months. You do not need to have a diagnosis of endometriosis to access the service.
While there are not set age limits, our services are aimed at those who have commenced menstruation (i.e., started having periods).
Our clinic is located in Geelong, however we are able to provide services to anyone living in the Western Victoria region

Out of pocket costs will vary depending on services and treatments recommended.

An initial fee of $125 (or $100 for concession/health care card holders) covers your on-going nurse support and group education sessions, and an introductory session with one of our allied health practitioners. Your first long appointment with the GP will be bulk billed (no out of pocket costs).

Subsequent GP appointments will be billed according to the standard Kardinia Health rates (please contact reception for up to date fees) although bulk billing may be applicable under certain circumstances.

Please note: our teen specific pathway does not have any out of pocket costs for registration/GP appointments

Costs for allied health vary depending on the provider. In instances where GP Chronic Condition Management Plans or GP Mental Health Care Plans are in effect, there may be subsidies available for allied health sessions.

If you have concerns about costs, our team can also discuss lower cost options/referrals with you.

No, you can self-refer. All you need to do is complete the following online questionnaire and book your first appointment here

For teen service self refer here

We offer a range of appointment formats, including in-person consultations, telephone appointments, and video calls, to accommodate diverse needs and preferences.

Please note some appointments require a face-to-face attendance in order to receive a Medicare rebate.

If you don’t live in the Western Victoria region, there are several other clinics around the state/country who have also received funding to provide endometriosis services - see https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/endometriosis-and-pelvic-pain-clinics for a complete list

To help search other practitioners who may have additional training/expertise in managing pelvic pain in your region, we recommend the following links:

• Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia
• Pelvic health physiotherapists
• Pain educators
• Psychologists
• Sexologists/sex therapists
• Chinese medicine/acupuncture

We are a persistent pain service, focused on long term management. The clinic runs 2 days of the week so if you require immediate attention, please contact your regular GP or attend emergency if required.

Scientific evidence does not support the use of opioid medications for chronic pain. As such we do not prescribe opioids or drugs of dependence. If you are already on these medications, you will need to see your usual provider for your scripts

We are a primary care service (i.e GPs and allied health). We are not a tertiary surgical service, but can refer onto surgical specialists where necessary.
Surgery is not always necessary, or first line treatment for pelvic pain. Many contributors to pelvic pain can be uncovered with thorough clinical assessment, and many therapies and treatments can be instituted (and relieve symptoms) without a formal laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis. Your team will discuss recommendations based on your specific symptoms and history.