MEDIA STATEMENT: 26 APRIL 2022

April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month – and MPs from across the political spectrum from the ‘NSW Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health’ are calling for urgent funding to support women with this condition.
The Federal Government recently announced a $58 million spend on endometriosis. But adenomyosis, a similar and equally debilitating issue affecting hundreds of thousands of women in Australia, was overlooked.

Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health group and adenomyosis sufferer, The Hon. Emma Hurst MLC says, “I suffer from both endometriosis and adenomyosis – many women do. While we are relieved to see endometriosis finally getting the attention it needs, the total lack of understanding and funding around adenomyosis is bewildering.”

Adenomyosis is often described as the ‘evil cousin’ of endometriosis. It occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus (whereas endometriosis occurs where tissue grows outside of the uterus). It can result in an enlarged uterus, painful and heavy periods and other debilitating symptoms. Adenomyosis is estimated to affect up to 65% of women, yet there is a major lack of awareness and understanding of the condition, even amongst doctors.

Many women fail to receive a timely diagnosis for adenomyosis, or are told that a hysterectomy is their only treatment option for this incredibly painful and life-altering condition - despite the fact that less invasive treatment protocols such as Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) have been available for many years.

This Adenomyosis Awareness Month, members of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health are calling for:

1. A Federal and State funding package to improve early diagnosis and support for women with adenomyosis; and

2. The creation of an expert advisory panel to Federal and State Governments on adenomyosis

The following members of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health have joined the call for urgent national action on adenomyosis:

• The Hon. Emma Hurst MLC, Animal Justice Party (Chair)
• The Hon. Catherine Cusack MLC, Liberal Party (Co-Deputy)
• The Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC, Labor Party (Co-deputy)
• Ms Abigail Boyd MLC, The Greens (Co-deputy)
• Mr Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney, Independent
• The Hon. Adam Searle MLC, Labor Party
• Ms Anna Watson MP, Member for Shellharbour, Labor Party
• The Hon. Mark Pearson MLC, Animal Justice Party
• Ms Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown, The Greens
• Mr Jamie Parker MP, Member for Balmain, The Greens
• Ms Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina, The Greens