Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that is affected by estrogen but is not caused by estrogen. In this presentation, Lara Briden will explore a new framework for understanding this complex disease, focusing on the role of immune dysfunction. She will review current research on the involvement of immune cells, such as macrophages and mast cells, as well as key factors like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and intestinal permeability. Finally, she will share the recent ANZCA statement that questions the emphasis on endometriosis lesions as the sole cause of persistent pelvic pain, proposing a broader approach to treatment.
Endometriosis is a complex, lifelong condition affecting nearly 1 million Australians, many of whom continue to struggle to access adequate care. This presentation highlights the emerging role of nurses as the first point of contact for patients with endometriosis and pelvic pain, discussing their expertise in supporting long-term management and care navigation. Beyond clinical expertise, nurses act as compassionate advocates, guiding patients through diagnosis, treatment options, and providing emotional support. Nikki will address common barriers in the healthcare system and illustrate how nurses can bridge these gaps through education, resources, and ongoing care coordination. Additionally, Nikki will explore how endometriosis and pelvic pain nurses add value in different settings by enhancing the patient journey and streamlining care within multidisciplinary teams.
Dr Laura will take you through her well-honed, evidence-based approach to reducing pelvic pain in the community. Laura defines and explains pain, and expands on why GPs are optimally positioned to lead interdisciplinary teams. She emphasises holistic management of pelvic pain providing a patient-centred, four-step framework for navigating this often complex presentation. GPs will feel more able to provide sustainable and effective care after this webinar.
Persistent pelvic pain with endometriosis is complex. Understanding the various mechanisms involved in endometriosis pelvic pain is important for diagnosis and treatment decision-making. It is also important for patients to be informed about their pain. Pain science education aims to unravel the complexity of endometriosis pain by providing information about ‘how pain works’, including explanations about the biological, psychological, and social contributors to pain, and how these factors can be modified to reduce pain and increase well-being. This presentation will explore the contemporary understanding of endometriosis pelvic pain and the current evidence for pelvic pain science education, including consumer-generated learning concepts. The presentation will also look at ways pain science education can be integrated into the clinical setting for endometriosis management.
This presentation explores the pivotal role of nutrition in enhancing the well-being of individuals with endometriosis and pelvic pain. As a multi-system condition, endometriosis can impact the immune, endocrine, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. This presentation will focus on how nutrition can support these systems, particularly in improving pain management and digestive health. By examining relevant research and effective strategies, healthcare providers will gain valuable insights for incorporating nutrition into their clinical practice.
After this presentation participants will be able to:
In this presentation, Jess will explore what is normal, what isn’t normal and how to support someone living with endometriosis or persistent pelvic pain. How can those affected develop their toolbox for managing the symptoms of endometriosis?
After this presentation participants will be able to:
After this presentation participants will be able to:
Lara Briden
Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and The Metabolism Reset. With a strong foundation in science, Lara serves on several advisory boards and is the lead author on a couple of peer-reviewed papers. Recognized internationally, Lara has a global following and is a sought-after speaker at leading health conferences. She continues to shape the conversation around women’s health, bringing the latest research and insights to both practitioners and patients. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Lara currently practices in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and other hormone-related health concerns.
Jess Taylor
Jess Taylor has 15 years of experience driving impact for change within the health sector. She is chair of the Australian Coalition for Endometriosis (ACE) and CEO of QENDO, the world’s only dedicated helpline for endometriosis, pelvic pain, PCOS, adenomyosis, period pain, infertility and other women’s health-related conditions. She co-designed the world’s first endometriosis and pelvic pain app The “QENDO App”, now supporting over 22,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. Jess was a member of the initial group that worked with the federal government to form the first National Action Plan for Endometriosis in Australia. She continues to advise on most of the programs funded by this action plan. She lectures at the University of Queensland and Griffith University on endometriosis and consumer and community involvement in healthcare and research. Jess was recognised as the Young Achiever of the Year (2020) and received the Consumer and Community Award for Women in Technology (2023).
Nadia Maxwell
Nadia is a dietitian and clinical hypnotherapist who specialises in supporting women with chronic and complex symptoms. She is passionate about helping clients to soothe symptoms, heal their relationship with food and nourish their bodies. With a special interest in endometriosis and pelvic pain, Nadia provides personalised guidance in order to improve symptoms without restrictive diets. Nadia co-facilitates training programs for health professionals on nutrition for endometriosis, empowering clinicians to offer holistic care to their clients with pelvic pain. Nadia works with clients from all across Australia, both online and in person in Melbourne and Geelong.
Nikki Campbell
Nikki is a highly experienced registered nurse and clinical leader with expertise in assessing, managing and navigating endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. She believes in reducing barriers to accessing care, working within a holistic framework and encouraging patient empowerment and self-management within the biopsychosocial model. Nikki established Australia’s first private sector nurse-led clinic for endometriosis and is passionate about trauma-informed care and improving the experiences of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people with pelvic pain and endometriosis.
Laura Chapman
Dr Laura is a GP with a special interest in pelvic health, women’s health and mental health (CBT) and yoga. She is at the forefront of GP-led management of pelvic pain. She curates and leads bespoke teams of care providers to provide patients with tailored, whole-person care. Laura empowers patients by offering a full suite of pain management tools, from pain medicine education, medication, and gynaecological support to cognitive behaviour and somatic therapies. She believes the broad experience base and accessibility of GPs places them in an optimal position for helping patients with pelvic pain. Laura is an international speaker and expert advisor on pelvic pain. Her collaborations include work with the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre, Better Care Victoria and Pelvic Pain Victoria. She travelled to Copenhagen in 2023 in an advisory capacity for the development of a diagnostic test for endometriosis. Laura is passionate about education and teaches trauma-informed practices including IUD insertions, and offers online education modules for health practitioners.
Peta Wright
Dr Peta Wright is a voice for women who want to take back their bodies and their healthcare. She is an integrative gynaecologist and fertility specialist with years of in-depth experience working with women across their lifespan. Dr Wright is the founder of Vera Wellness, and author of Healing Pelvic Pain, published in August 2023. In founding Vera, she fulfilled a long-held desire to provide women with an alternative to their modern clinical experience of visiting the gynaecologist for “women’s problems”. Her philosophy is that women deserve time, space and compassion to tell their stories and be heard, to be empowered with knowledge to get to the root cause of problems and supported to make the choices that feel right to them. Vera Wellness is about giving women their power back. It is Peta’s dream to help women remember the beauty and power in their bodies and to give them back the tools and knowledge to live happy, healthy and empowered lives.
Amelia Mardon
Dr Amelia Mardon is an early-career researcher at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. She completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Research (Honours) at the University of South Australia before completing her PhD in pelvic pain at the world-renowned Body in Mind research group. Amelia’s research has primarily focused on the conservative management of pelvic pain, with a specific interest in pain science education. Her research generated the first list of key learning concepts for a pelvic pain science education curriculum, which has been implemented in multiple clinical guidelines. She regularly publishes in Q1 journals for pain and gynaecology and has been an invited keynote speaker at national and international conferences. She also has lived experience of endometriosis. Through her research she hopes to improve clinical outcomes for those with pelvic pain.
Samantha Mooney
Dr Samantha Mooney currently works as a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist across public and private sectors in Melbourne. Sam completed her AGES fellowship at Mercy Hospital for Women from 2018 to 2019. Sam is an early career researcher and PhD candidate with interests in endometriosis, persistent pelvic pain, fertility, and obstetric outcomes. She is the current supervisor of candidates undertaking the DRANZCOG and CWH awards at Mercy. Sam has two young children, and fancies herself an above-average Lego engineer, as well as knowing more than she needs to about Unicorn Academy.
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