Endometriosis in NZ: Kiwis deserves a national action plan based on Australia’s experience – opinion

March is the month of awareness of global endometriosisAnd this year in New Zealand, we run with the theme “Let’s Talk Endo” – because too often, those with endometriosis feel unknown or resigned.

We recently profiled Holly’s story as part of our awareness campaign. Holly is a young woman with the world at her feet. Unfortunately, the pain and debilitating cramps meant that it is missing from school, and the lifestyle normally associated with a typical Kiwi teenage education.

Only after a few years, many visits to the doctor and a decision to impose answers, Holly finally received the operation needed to diagnose endometriosis and start treatment.

Holly still has a long and hard road before her and she has to constantly manage her condition, but so many pains of other neo -Elanders can be undiagnosed and untreated for decades. This should be unacceptable in New Zealand in the 21st century and is why we need to do more to give priority to the endometriosis in our health system.

Endometriosis was included in the first health strategy of women in Aotaroa in 2023 and I am satisfied Pharmac Currently, it is considering financing for desogestrel (cerazette), as this contraceptive can be an effective treatment for endometriosis. These are reasonable steps; However, a coordinated approach is required.

The good news is the model for such an approach already exists in Tasman.

In 2018, Australia implemented a national action plan for endometriosis, which explicitly focuses on three key fields – awareness and education, clinical management and care and research.

Early results are promising. The establishment of specialized endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics in Australia offered multidisciplinary care, focusing on early intervention and comprehensive management. In addition, the introduction of the funded MRI scan has assisted the investigation of infertility for those with severe endometriosis, facilitating the diagnosis and treatment.

The success of the approach of Australia cannot be ignored, which is why endometriosis patients, their supporters and clinicians advocate for the development and implementation of a similar national action plan here.

A major component of such a plan must be education. Increased awareness of primary health professionals on symptoms and impact of endometriosis is essential for early recognition and intervention. Educational programs may also extend to schools and jobs to promote support media that recognize the daily challenges that people like Holly are facing.

Improving clinical management and care is also vital. Currently, New Zealand suffers from the lack of gynecologists and other specialists, which means even when there is a diagnosis, accessing the necessary treatment can often take many months or even years. Increasing investments in the formation of new specialists is something that a national action plan could not help.

The current diagnostic techniques of endometriosis are based on invasive laparoscopic surgery, because non-invasive options such as advanced ultrasound or MRI are not widely available through our public health system. Access to hormonal treatments, a foundation stone of symptoms management, is also inconsistent and often expensive. A national action plan could address these equity issues.

Research is always important in promoting better medical assistance results. A national action plan could contribute to facilitating the specific research in New Zealand and would lead to a better understanding of endometriosis and its impact on our communities.

The implications of endometriosis are significant and felt widely. It is difficult to quantify the costs in the well -being and quality of life, but it has lost the productivity of the labor and increased healthcare expenses due to Australia (five times population) costs around $ 10.7 billion annually.

A national action plan and the initiatives it produces will, of course, come with a price, but this will be a fraction of what costs endometriosis now and should be viewed as a worthy and necessary investment.

By learning from the experience of Australia and adapting our approach to the unique needs of the Aotaoa communities, we can make a significant difference in Holly’s life and tens of thousands of other needs.

This would give us all something to celebrate the next time the month of endometriosis awareness is rolled.