Australia has launched its first national Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP) to enable earlier symptom management and faster, GP-led diagnosis and care for women with suspected endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain.

The EMP provides a web-based, personalised care plan that guides patients and general practitioners in evidence-based decisions, reducing diagnostic delays and facilitating timely, coordinated care.

Co-designed with patients, GPs, clinicians and stakeholders, the plan reflects real-world needs and aims to standardise assessments and treatment while remaining adaptable to individual symptoms.

Advocacy voices and lived experiences, such as Lilia Tennant, underscore the importance of shared decision‑making, empathy, and patient involvement in care planning.

The article includes FAQs and links to resources for clinicians and patients to support understanding and implementation of the EMP.

By consolidating information into a patient-accessible plan and embedding guideline recommendations into routine practice, the EMP aims to shorten delays and improve the patient experience.

Health leaders, including Monash University researchers and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, endorse the EMP for its potential to improve outcomes and quality of life.

The EMP was co-designed with patients and clinicians to reflect real-world delivery in general practice and to reduce care delays.

After consultations, patients receive a digital or printed, reviewable plan, with access to information and support and the ability to update it with their GP as symptoms evolve.

The plan also includes training for doctors nationwide and alignment with broader inquiries into women’s pain and gender biases in medical treatment.

Key EMP topics include pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fertility, and mental health, with guidance on self-management and access to allied health services like physiotherapy.

The EMP combines clinical templates, evidence-based guidance, assessment tools, and patient education resources to enable shared decision-making and multidisciplinary care.