Mel’s journey with symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis began almost 13 years ago. However, it wasn’t until just a year and a half ago that she first heard of these conditions from her GP.
Zarah was still in her final year of primary school when she experienced a severe bladder infection that resisted antibiotics and lasted a month. Not long after, she began getting painful, heavy periods, adding to the health challenges she was facing at such a young age.
In 2022, after years of pain and suffering, Natalie Hampshire was diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis in her bowel. Endo Empathy has been written not only as a resource for people living with endometriosis, but also as an empathetic guide.
Pharmac applications for Visanne (dienogest), and Ryeqo (relugolix with estradiol and norethisterone acetate) progress to the next stage.
Claire experienced her first period when she was around 12 to 13. From the beginning, her periods were what she describes as “hot and heavy”, with pain that could be severe enough to send her home from school.
Endometriosis New Zealand has appointed leading gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon as the new Chair of its Clinical Advisory Committee.
At just 17, Arshia Jaiswal recently hosted her first market stall in Christchurch to raise awareness and funds for Endometriosis New Zealand.
Arshia was inspired to start her own fundraiser after noticing how little is understood about women’s health, particularly endometriosis.
Last month we welcomed the Government’s announcement that Health New Zealand will adapt the RANZCOG Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis for use in New Zealand. This was a significant milestone and something Endometriosis New Zealand had strongly advocated for.
Endometriosis has been described for thousands of years, so why are patients with the condition still waiting an average of 10 years for a diagnosis? Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) PhD student Katherine Ellis hopes her research will improve understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the disease and one day help predict which new treatments will be effective.
For many people living with endometriosis, questions about fertility can bring uncertainty, fear, and an overwhelming amount of conflicting information. While not everyone with endometriosis will experience infertility, concerns about future fertility are common and can have a significant emotional impact.
“I wasn’t believed because I hadn’t started my periods yet,” Nicole says. When her periods began a year later, her symptoms became “awful”.
Endometriosis New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement that Health New Zealand will adapt the RANZCOG Australian Living Evidence Guideline: Endometriosis for use in New Zealand, calling it a major breakthrough for endometriosis care.