Flinders University Researchers are on a mission to help end chronic pelvic pain for endometriosis sufferers.

Dr Joel Castro Kraftchenko will use a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to investigate how sensory endings within pelvic organs are affected in endometriosis, and how these signal pain into the central nervous system.

The ultimate aim is to uncover new therapies and treatments to reduce pain and improve endometriosis patients’ quality of life

Endometriosis is a chronic, painful and debilitating disorder affecting about 10 per cent of females worldwide and costing Australia $7.7 billion per year.

The underlying mechanisms of chronic pelvic plain are poorly understood with no effective treatments. Surgery is currently considered best treatment, although pain often returns.

This work will provide novel therapeutics strategies and ultimately improve endometriosis patients’ quality of life.

Project title: Developing a in vivo technique to investigate endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain

Lead researcher: Dr Joel Castro Kraftchenko