Melbourne Mum Overcomes Adenomyosis, A Condition That Affects About 1 In 5 Women, With Lesser-Known Treatment

This national Women’s Health Week (2- 9 September), Melbourne mum, Kate, joins women’s health experts and international community organisations to raise awareness about lesser-known treatment options for adenomyosis and other women’s health conditions, empowering women to make informed, personalised health decisions.

Although a hysterectomy may be suitable for some patients with adenomyosis, data from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare reveals that the rate of this procedure is higher in Australia when compared to most other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.⁴ 

If alternative options are not explored, it can leave women, like Kate, feeling powerless, especially if the treatment does not align with their individual health needs.

“Incontinency, prolapse, these are just a few of the risks I would be facing. Someone has to be in the percentage where things don’t go well- and I didn’t want that to be me. But I felt like I was running out of options,” Kate explained.

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is one example of an alternative, minimally invasive interventional radiology (IR) procedure performed by an interventional radiologist using image guidance techniques. UAE can help address adenomyosis symptoms while offering shorter recovery times, reduced in-hospital stays, easing the burden on the healthcare system while improving patient outcomes and experience.^5,6,7

Professor Warren Clements, Interventional Radiologist and representative of the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA), acknowledges the ongoing developments in women’s health and the vital role of community organisations in driving improved patient outcomes.

“It’s exciting to see an uptick in research trials and clinical workshops in the field of women’s health. These efforts are helping to expand the applicability of minimally invasive treatment options, like UAE, for other common conditions like endometriosis,” he notes.

“At IRSA, this is at the core of our mission- to empower all Australians with greater choices that can better align with their individual health needs,” said Dr Clements.

Jess Taylor, CEO of QENDO, a non-profit organisation that advocates for those affected by endometriosis, adenomyosis and other pelvic health related conditions across Australia and New Zealand, reinforces the importance empowering all women with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. As someone who also lives with adenomyosis, Jess calls for Australians to consider building their toolbox to manage these really complex conditions

“Endometriosis and adenomyosis are not new conditions, but they are newly spoken about,” Jess said.

“At QENDO, we believe in supporting individuals, and their ‘toolbox’ of resources, healthcare professionals, and treatments that align with their values. It’s great to see organisations like IRSA advocating for greater awareness and education for people to learn about, become informed of the lesser-known and minimally invasive options that are available,when considering their individualised care,” said Jess.