Online endometriosis care tool aims to support GPs
Australians with suspected endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain will be able to use a new national endometriosis care plan with their GP from 17 September 2026.
Monash University said the web-based Endometriosis Management Plan is Australia’s first national tool of its kind, bringing endometriosis guidelines into a personalised online care plan covering treatment, symptom management, referrals and ongoing care.
The launch comes with endometriosis affecting up to one in seven Australian women by age 50, while the average time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis is eight years. Eligible patients with suspected endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain can use the plan with their GP before a diagnosis is confirmed.
What the plan covers
The plan guides consultations around a patient’s symptoms and goals, including pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fertility and mental health. It also includes guidance on treatment options, self-management, referrals and multidisciplinary care, including allied health services such as physiotherapy for chronic pelvic pain.
At the end of a consultation, patients receive a personalised digital or printed plan that can be reviewed and updated with their GP.
Professor Danielle Mazza AM, Head of Monash University’s Department of General Practice, said the tool was designed so patients with persistent symptoms were not left waiting for the next step in their care. “We want patients to understand their condition, know what their options are and have a clear management plan they can return to and review with their GP, rather than feeling there is nowhere to turn,” Mazza said.
The Endometriosis Management Plan was developed by Monash University’s SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence in partnership with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It is available online for clinicians and patients, while the RACGP is also running webinars and an eLearning module for clinicians.
