Hospital admissions for endometriosis rise sharply, driven by greater awareness

According to the latest AIHW analysis, the rate of women and girls admitted for endometriosis climbed 23% in the last ten years, outpacing the 4.7% rise in overall female hospitalisations. The report links this trend to growing awareness among the public and clinicians, alongside advances in understanding the disease and diagnostic technology. Endometriosis, affecting roughly one in seven Australian women aged 18 to 45, can cause significant pain and infertility.

Obstetrician-gynaecologist Marilla Druitt notes that patients often present with pelvic pain that may be labelled in many ways, complicating data comparison. She welcomes the increase as a sign of advocacy success but calls for more holistic, non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy and pain psychology, which are currently outpaced by demand.