24 Mar ***IWK TO OPEN ATLANTIC CANADA’S FIRST ENDOMETRIOSIS CLINIC***

I have some very exciting and important news to share about a topic that is near and dear to my heart ❤️

IWK Health is opening its first clinic dedicated to multidisciplinary endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It is the first clinic of its kind in the Atlantic Provinces.

The clinic will include:

-A gynaecologist
-An anesthesiologist
-A nurse practitioner
-A physiotherapist

The clinic also hopes to add a counsellor, and other health professionals with specialized training in endometriosis and CPP in order to meet the needs of this underserved patient population.
What is Endometriosis?

• Endometriosis is a medical condition, where cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. This happens most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and surrounding tissues.
What are the symptoms?

• The most common symptoms of Endometriosis are pelvic pain and infertility, and the condition is the most common gynecological cause of CPP.

I suffered as a young woman with severe menstrual pains. Sometimes I could not go to school or to work on the first day of my period as a teenager and a young woman.
I know many other women who are suffering today, and I hope they will all seek help from this new clinic at the IWK 🙏

My gynaecologist (over 35 years ago) said to me that my Endometriosis was not severe enough to qualify for surgical procedures. So, I had to resort to strong anti-inflamertry medication that helped reduce the severe pain in the first two days of my cycle, which allowed me to go to school or work.
Did you know?

• Endometriosis and CPP are associated with significant healthcare costs due to physician and emergency department visits, medications, surgeries and hospital admissions.

• It has been estimated that CPP is responsible for $1.8 billion in total annual costs in Canada, not to mention the personal costs to those suffering.

I am so happy to know how much our healthcare system cares about women’s health.
We are so fortunate to live in a province, and a country, where our needs and health concerns are looked after with a microscope.

I know many women in my life, and beyond, will appreciate this clinic – and find it extremely beneficial and helpful.