NASOG statement to colleagues on recent media coverage of pelvic pain and endometriosis care

Recent media coverage concerning pelvic pain and endometriosis care has been confronting for many in our profession. These stories are distressing for patients and families, they inevitably shape who presents to our consulting rooms and how they present: often with uncertainty, fear and, at times, diminished trust before a clinical conversation has even begun.

This statement is directed to colleagues practising in this space.

Chronic pelvic pain is complex. It does not lend itself to simple explanations or single solutions. Endometriosis may be part of the picture for some women, but it is not the entire picture for many. Persistent pain can continue despite appropriate intervention and outcomes are rarely binary. Our work sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, lived experience and system limitations. It requires both clinical rigour and professional humility.

NASOG supports the position articulated by the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery Society. Professional standards in gynaecology are strengthened through education, surgical training, peer review, audit, research and transparent quality improvement. These are the levers within our control and they remain central to maintaining public confidence.

NASOG is not a regulator. Where allegations concern individual practitioners, procedural fairness and due process are essential. Regulatory and legal mechanisms exist to assess complaints and determine outcomes. Professional bodies should not pre-empt or comment on specific cases, particularly where formal processes may be underway. Trial-by-media does not serve patients or clinicians.

At the same time, it is clear that public narratives influence the therapeutic relationship. Many of you will be encountering questions shaped by recent reporting. That is understandable. Women living with chronic pain are often exhausted by years of symptoms and fragmented care. When trust is shaken at a system level, it reverberates in individual consultations.

In this context, what matters is how we conduct ourselves — with clarity, consistency and transparency.

Collegiality is equally important. Pelvic pain work can be professionally demanding and at times isolating. Complex cases benefit from discussion, peer input and shared expertise. A culture of respectful collaboration strengthens both patient care and professional resilience.

We should also remain mindful of the broader system pressures within which we practise.

Long waiting times, limited multidisciplinary access and funding constraints affect outcomes. These realities do not diminish individual accountability but they are part of the environment in which care is delivered. Thoughtful governance requires acknowledging both individual and systemic dimensions.

To our colleagues practising conscientiously and in good faith: NASOG recognises the commitment required to work in pelvic pain and endometriosis care. Public discourse can quickly become polarised and nuance is often lost. Ethical, skilled gynaecologists deserve fair process and professional solidarity. Patients deserve access to high-quality, evidence-informed care delivered within accountable systems.

NASOG will continue to support initiatives that strengthen education, governance, audit and data transparency in pelvic pain and endometriosis care across both private and public settings. Our shared responsibility is to uphold standards, support one another, and ensure women receive care that is both compassionate and accountable.

Dr Liz Jackson NASOG President

19 February 2026