May 26th 2024.
Bridget Armstrong has been dealing with endometriosis for the past three years, and she estimates that it has cost her a whopping $82,000. The 35-year-old finally received her diagnosis in 2019, after enduring years of agonizing pain, heavy bleeding, and bloating since she first got her period back in high school.
In an interview with 9news.com.au, Armstrong shared that the journey to her diagnosis was not only long, but it also had a significant impact on her employment and financial stability. She revealed that she even lost a job while studying at university because she needed to take a lot of sick leave due to her endometriosis. It took a staggering 15 years for her to be diagnosed with stage three endometriosis, which had spread to her uterus, arteries, and bladder.
As the cost of living continues to rise for all households in Australia, Armstrong is feeling the financial strain of her condition. She estimates that she has lost around $75,000 in income over the past three years due to her endometriosis, either through unpaid sick leave or being unable to work. And because she can only work part-time, a significant portion of her earnings goes towards paying rent.
Armstrong explained, "The cost of medical appointments, imaging, transportation, and my Mirena all add up." Mirena is a hormonal IUD that she uses as a treatment for her endometriosis. However, the best treatment for her condition is laparoscopic surgery, which means she has to take two weeks off work to recover. Despite having private health insurance, the surgery still leaves her hundreds of dollars out of pocket, with additional costs for complications and excess fees.
For her second surgery, Armstrong opted for a public hospital, which saved her some money, but she still had to pay hundreds of dollars for an MRI. "You don't get anything back from that," she said. Apart from surgery, the only other medication available to treat her pelvic pain is hormone treatments like the pill, implant, or intrauterine device. However, newer and more effective options that have fewer side effects are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and can cost up to triple the amount of their older counterparts.
On top of her endometriosis, Armstrong also lives with another chronic condition that prevents her from taking oral contraceptives due to an increased risk of blood clotting. Instead, she has to use the Mirena, which costs her around $230 for the device and the procedure. She estimates that she loses approximately $27,343 every year due to her endometriosis alone. This amount would be even higher if she had chosen to have her second surgery in a private hospital. Despite having private health insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses are still too much for her to afford.
Associate Professor Mike Armour, an expert in reproductive health at Western Sydney University, explained that there are significant direct and indirect costs associated with treating endometriosis and complex pelvic pain. According to his research, people with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain spend an average of $400 a month on allied health services. In a 2019 study, he published, it was found that endometriosis can cost a person up to $30,900 per year.
Prof. Armour stressed the importance of reducing these indirect costs, such as supporting people to stay in work and protecting them from using all their hours or sick leave. He also emphasized the need for health funds to cover common interventions for people with endometriosis, and for the government to consider adding effective medications to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to help reduce costs.
Last week, the federal government announced a $49.1 million investment to assist women with endometriosis and other gynecological conditions, including chronic pelvic pain and polycystic ovary syndrome. This investment will allow for extended consultation times and higher rebates for specialist gynecologist appointments under the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This means that Medicare subsidies will nearly double for follow-up consultations and will increase for initial consultations as well.
The government has also committed to providing 430,000 more services to help people across the country with complex gynecological conditions. Armstrong sees this as a step in the right direction and hopes that it will bring some relief to those suffering from endometriosis. She added, "Anything that benefits the patient will make a difference. I also hope that GPs will have access to the Endometriosis Living Guidelines so they can provide evidence-based treatment."
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