The IWK E&CPP team. Standing L to R: Dr. Elizabeth Randle, Leah Pink, Dr. Brigid Nee. Sitting L to R: Kathryn Hawkins, Dr. Allana Munro, Linda McEachern. photo by Ryan Wilson IWK
Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain (E&CPP) is a common, often under-recognized issue, affecting one in 10 women and an unknown number of gender diverse people. There is a tremendous cost to quality of life and mental health and often relationships, employment, and mobility are compromised by the pain.
The IWK E&CPP clinic interdisciplinary team sees patients with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain who have been assessed by a gynecologist in the past five years and who have not adequately responded to initial treatments. These patients tend to have more complex care needs and would likely benefit from a biopsychosocial approach.
An interdisciplinary approach to treatment is considered the gold standard of care and demand for the clinic is high. The IWK E&CPP offers assessment, management, patient education and is actively involved in research to better understand the cause of endometriosis and optimize treatment options. Current wait times are on average 12 to 18 months but every referral is triaged individually by the team.
The annual economic impact of endometriosis is $1.8 billion in Canada. Additional costs are associated with emergency visits, hospitalizations for pain, and unnecessary investigations and treatments while awaiting a specialist.
Dr. Allana Munro is an anesthesiologist who specializes in chronic pelvic pain for the endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain clinic.
Leah Pink is a nurse practitioner with a background in chronic pain in the E&CPP clinic.
Linda McEachern is a social worker who provides pain education and counseling at the E&CPP clinic.
Kathryn Hawkins is a pelvic floor physiotherapist who provides pain education and treatment in the E & CPP clinic.
Dr. Elizabeth Randle is a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
Dr. Brigid Nee is a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.