Struggling with debilitating pelvic pain and unsure of what was happening to her, she knew she couldn’t keep going without support.
Living in the small town of Cowes on Phillip Island meant healthcare options were limited. Her GP wasn’t the right fit, and her private gynaecologist was hours away in Melbourne. Accessing care felt impossible. But Abbey refused to let her location define her future.
Determined to take control, 24-year-old Abbey self-referred to Each’s pelvic pain clinic.
The result? A breakthrough in her healthcare journey.
The right care, at the right time
From day one, Each provided Abbey with a level of care she had never experienced before. A team of specialists – including a dietician, a mental health nurse, and a pelvic floor physiotherapist – worked alongside Anita, the GP who would change everything for her.
A diagnosis—and a turning point
“When I came to Each, I didn’t have a diagnosis for endometriosis. My pain had been overlooked for so long because it’s an invisible illness. But at Each, it was different," she said.
"Anita and the team validated my pain—they told me, ‘You’re not going crazy. We hear you. Your pain is real, and it’s not okay to live like this.’ That changed everything.”
With Each’s support, Abbey found real solutions. The team provided strategies to manage her symptoms, encouraged her to explore a low FODMAP diet (which made a huge difference), and offered access to pelvic floor physiotherapy.
“I can’t tell you how much it changed everything,” Abbey says.
“I finally have the tools and support to manage my symptoms. Each made sure I had all my options and the knowledge to make the best choices for me.”
Despite working with multiple specialists—both public and private—Each became the bridge that helped her navigate a complex system and take control of her health.
Empowered and moving forward
Abbey’s journey isn’t over, but she’s no longer fighting alone. Her pain hasn’t disappeared but she has confidence and control over her health.
Each didn’t just help Abbey manage her symptoms—they gave her the knowledge, support, and belief that she deserves better. And that’s exactly what she’s striving for.
Each’s endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic is funded through the Primary Health Networks.
