Gold Coast residents suffering from chronic endometriosis and pelvic pain can now find help from a dedicated team offering a multidisciplinary approach to care.
In March 2023, Medical Super Clinic was announced as one of 22 medical practices nationwide to receive federal funding for an Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic.
With an estimated one in nine Australian women suffering from endometriosis, a painful and often debilitating condition that can impact daily life, the need for personalised, evidence-based care in this area has never been greater.
Leticia Avila, a patient who has experienced the impact of endometriosis firsthand, shared her journey of symptoms and the relief she found at the clinic.
“For me personally, it clicked that there was an issue after the birth of my youngest who’s now almost 11,” Mrs Avila said.
“I thought the pain was something you experience normally after having a child and that it was my new reality. In hindsight, I got the indication a lot earlier.”
Avila’s struggle with irregular periods, intense pain, and misdiagnosis led her to the Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Clinic.
“When I met Dr Evans, she talked me through every step,” she explained.
“The options she provided for me and the security she gave me has been beyond anything I could have expected. I tell as many people as I can to go and see the clinic as I have had the best outcome.”
Dr Evans, Clinical Director of Medical Super Clinic Benowa and lead GP of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, emphasised the importance of education and accessibility to care.
“Although Leticia had already been diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and has already undergone surgery, she presented to the clinic to discuss her options for symptom management,” Dr Evans said.
“She is a classic example of someone who needed a patient-centred multidisciplinary team approach. We discussed changing her pain management and involving other members of the team such as pelvic floor physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists.
“I believe that a combination of these therapies along with regular follow-up appointments have helped to improve Leticia’s quality of life.”
Avila’s journey highlights the importance of empowering women and breaking the stigma surrounding endometriosis, something she feels very passionate about.
“There’s not a lot of education in the Latina community about what endometriosis is. When I explained it to my family, they initially thought I had cancer because the understanding of this condition is just not there,” she said.
“I have missed countless family celebrations, taken numerous days off work, and been unable to engage in beloved activities such as dancing, all of this has not only had an impact on me but also on my family.”
The clinic is open Monday to Friday and offers bulk billing for those with a valid Medicare card. No referral is needed.
Written by Jacqueline Latimer
