Endometriosis Surgery
Endometriosis surgery is one of several treatment options for endometriosis. It’s usually combined with other approaches such as hormone treatment, other medications, physiotherapy and psychology.
Endometriosis surgery might be performed to diagnose or treat endometriosis. Oftentimes, both happen in the same surgery. Not all people with endometriosis have surgery, and not all people who have endometriosis surgery have complete or permanent pain relief.
Getting a diagnosis of endometriosis takes a long time – on average, 6.5 years. This diagnosis may involve surgery, as well as a physical examination, assessment of your symptoms and medical imaging or ultrasound. During surgery, your surgeon will check for signs of endometriosis as well as the location, extent and size of the endometriosis growths. At the same time, your surgeon may treat endometriosis, removing the endometriosis tissue.
Most commonly, endometriosis surgery is done laparoscopically, through a small cut or keyhole in your tummy. Sometimes a bigger cut is needed; this is called a laparotomy.
If you’ve made the decision to have endometriosis surgery, you might be feeling hopeful but also a little nervous. And you probably have plenty of questions. This is all very normal. And it’s why preparing for and recovering from endometriosis surgery is easier with expert advice.
We’re here to support you.
At Pelvic Health Matters, we can give you the peace of mind and support you need during this time. We can help you prepare for, recover from and get the best possible outcome from your endometriosis surgery. So you don't have to face this alone – we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Endometriosis surgery is often required to diagnose endometriosis and to treat pain. Our postgraduate-qualified pelvic health physiotherapists can help you through this time.
Our Proven Pathway for Supporting Endometriosis Surgery
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
We begin by taking the time to learn all about you – as a whole person, not just a patient. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will gather the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your endometriosis. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes a back, pelvic and hip joints and muscles, abdominal and pelvic floor examination, bladder diary, bowel diary and questionnaires to understand your thoughts, feelings and environment.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you and your endometriosis and pelvic pain, we can explore how it all fits together. For example, you might learn how your persistent pelvic pain and degree of nervous system sensitisation might negatively impact your recovery. Or perhaps you’ll discover how the function of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles will also affect your surgical outcome and prevent other problems.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals such as:
- Know that I’m doing everything I can to get the best outcome from surgery
- Recover quickly from my surgery
- Feel confident to return to the gym
- Do fun things again, like seeing my friends
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
Step 2 is where we take action. Together, we’ll explore the most effective, research-backed treatment options that suit your lifestyle. You’ll learn what to expect from surgery, how to make lifestyle modifications during your post-op period, and how to safely return to your regular activities.
You’ll learn all about pain science, so you can understand how your nervous system and body work together, and what might not be working well right now. You’ll learn practical ways to reduce pain by calming your nerves, muscles and the mind-body connection. This might include activities like mindfulness or breathing exercises.
We’ll also start Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. You’ll develop valuable new skills and connect with hidden muscles that you may not even know you have. Your program will be carefully tailored towards your individual needs, with a focus on helping you release tension, support recovery and improve libido and arousal. Plus, you’ll be given excellent resources and tools to help you progress. You’ll be armed with all the things!
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The final step is about ensuring you achieve all the meaningful goals you set at the beginning of your journey with us. You might also find you can embrace new possibilities that you hadn’t considered, such as planning a career change or an extended period of travel. You’ll be fully equipped with the skills to recover from surgery – without having to return for appointments.
Sometimes, though, life’s ups and downs might mean you need to return for a reset. You may experience a hormonal change that brings on period pain, or begin a new relationship and have pain with sex. Whatever the case, we’ll always be here to help you.
Read about Brinda 27 yrs, Jorja 23 yrs
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Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au