By Afraa Kori
For women living with severe endometriosis, life can be tough. The condition causes pain, tiredness, heavy bleeding, digestive issues, and sometimes problems with getting pregnant. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, affecting other organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and in some cases, the bowel and bladder.
St John of God Berwick Hospital is one of the few hospitals in Melbourne’s south east offering specialised care for women with severe endometriosis. The hospital is improving treatment by bringing doctors together from different specialties to work collectively to deliver a single solution to a complex problem, conveniently located close to home for women in the south east of Melbourne.
A gynaecologist takes the lead in treating endometriosis, but sometimes it also needs the expertise of a colorectal surgeon if it involves the bowel, or a urologist if it involves the urinary system, depending on the case.
At St John of God Berwick Hospital, gynaecologist Dr Saj Rathnayake and colorectal surgeon Mr Hanumant Chouhan have successfully worked together to treat women with severe endometriosis.This teamwork helps make treatment quicker, easier, and may result in less operations and hospital stays for the patient. If required, both surgeons are also highly experienced to use the hospital’s Davinci robot for complex cases.
“Endometriosis is complex and can affect many organs in the body,” Mr Chouhan said. “That’s why it’s important for different specialists to work together. Our goal is to allow the patient’s body to heal quickly with less pain and discomfort”
Dr Rathnayake adds, “by teaming up, we can offer a wider range of treatments, making it faster and easier for patients to get the relief they need. Women don’t have to suffer longer than they need to.”
The team uses keyhole surgery to treat endometriosis. This type of surgery uses small incisions and a camera to allow the surgeon to see inside the body. Given that pelvic organs are tightly packed, this approach allows surgeons better access to perform the procedure with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues. It can result in less pain, quicker recovery, and allows women to get back to their normal activities much faster.
In one case, a 32 year old woman had been living with intense pelvic pain for over 10 years due to severe endometriosis. After working with other specialists, the team was able to remove the tissue causing the pain. The patient no longer needed pain medication and was able to return to work and normal activities without the constant pain.
“Help is available for women with endometriosis, and they don’t have to keep suffering,” Mr
Chouhan said. “With this team approach, we can offer solutions that improve their quality of life.”
Pakenham resident Melanie Thompson was first diagnosed with endometriosis at 29, with a rare case of endo in her belly button. She thought the issue was resolved, but over the next 15 years, her symptoms worsened, including increased pain during cycles.
In 2023, Melanie underwent a major operation at St. John of God in Berwick, which included bowel resection due to nearly full bowel obstruction, a total hysterectomy during which her ovaries were kept, and robotic surgery to remove extensive endometriosis from her abdomen, including her belly button.
Last month, Melanie had a hernia repair surgery, a complication resulting from her previous abdominal surgeries.
Melanie’s experience with endometriosis was marked by chronic pain, isolation, and strained relationships, but after surgery, she was able to regain her quality of life and return to normal activities.
The success of her operations, particularly the robotic surgeries performed by two skilled surgeons, including her recovery was a miracle.
“My quality of life has improved dramatically since then. I’m now free from pain, cycles, and monthly medication,” she said.
“It gives you that new lease on life, and it also motivates you to do things now that you’re physically able. You feel like someone who’s literally received a second lease on life.”
“Coming through this experience is similar to overcoming cancer. You feel like you’ve faced something serious and come out the other side. It’s like being cancer-free – you’re not endo-free, but you’ve got your life back because you’re no longer in pain and can do what you want.”
Melanie believes there’s a significant lack of awareness about endometriosis, which can be frustrating and isolating for patients.
Many people, including family, workplaces, and even partners, don’t understand the condition, leading to a sense of stigma.
“You just learn to sort of deal with it yourself. You have to be resilient, because you’ve got to educate others.”
“It sort of almost feels like there’s a stigma attached because it’s just a female issue.”
“There is a lack of awareness of even operations and things that you can have that people aren’t aware of to help.”
“There’s been a lack of focus on endometriosis, particularly from a government level. They market and fundraise more for cancer.”
In recognition of March as Endometriosis Awareness Month, Melanie is urging the community to take action by advocating for change, fundraising for research, and helping to raise awareness about this often-misunderstood condition.
She also encourages women to seek medical attention immediately if they have any signs or symptoms of endometriosis.
“The sooner that you can actually start a process with your GP… the better, because it’s a bit like a jigsaw. It can take a while to put the pieces together to work out what’s going on.”
