Amelia Mardon (a PhD candidate in South Australia) has conducted a systematic review of clinical guidelines for the management of persistent pelvic pain. The findings of this review reinforce the idea that there are important research and practice gaps still evident in the optimal care of patients suffering pelvic pain. ⁠

Amelia’s primary findings:

• Pelvic Health is underfunded
  • IN 2016, the NHMRC awarded $14.7 million to asthma research and $64.1 million to diabetes research however only $837,443 was allocated to endometriosis research despite these conditions having a similar prevalence
• Lack of high quality research
  • 40% of clinical guideline recommendations for the management of pelvic pain were not supported with sufficient evidence or based on expert opinion
• Insufficient research investigating psychological interventions
  • Higher incidences of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and catastrophisation are observed in those with pelvic pain, yet the majority of funded research focuses on biomedical interventions
• Heavy focus on biomedical interventions for pelvic pain management
  • All pelvic pain guidelines recommended surgical and / or pharmacological interventions. However, only 11 suggested psychological interventions and 7 recommended physiotherapy
• Sub optimal patient outcomes
  • 20% of patients experience no change or worsening of symptoms and over 60% have repeat surgeries following laparoscopic removal of endometriosis

⁠What we do know is that surgery is not a sure fix. It needs to form PART of the puzzle which MUST include physiotherapy in addition to other allied health care as part of a multidisciplinary approach to optimise patient outcomes.⁠

If you have pelvic pain and are not sure where to turn, please don’t hesitate to contact our gorgeous admin team on (07) 5474 9093 or book online via our bookings page.

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