The Matilda Blog
Supporting you in understanding endometriosis, navigating surgical care and speaking up for what your body needs.
Why I Chose to Have Three Surgeries for Endometriosis
When it comes to endometriosis, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and choosing to have surgery is a deeply personal decision. It’s not something I ever took lightly, and it’s not the only path to relief. But for me, at three different points in my journey, surgery felt like the right choice. Looking back, each of those decisions came from a place of wanting to protect my health and quality of life and I do not regret undergoing any of those procedures.
Improving Access to Endometriosis Surgery Support in Rural and Remote Australia
How can we improve women's health outcomes in regional WA? We spoke to Ellen Smith from the Triple R Network about access, endo care, and local connection.
Love Your Labia: A Pelvic Physio’s Take on What’s Normal (and Why That Question Matters)
When you live with endometriosis or persistent pelvic pain, it’s easy to feel like your body is working against you- especially when people don’t often discuss the pelvic area. And then you get referred to Pelvic Physiotherapy, and have no idea what to expect!
Many clients arrive at their first Pelvic Physiotherapy session feeling anxious. Some are scared it’s going to hurt and others are worried that something about their vulva, labia, or vagina isn’t “normal.” I’ve lost count of how many people have nervously asked: “Is it okay down there?” or whispered, “Sorry, I haven’t waxed…”
So let’s discuss this and clear things up- with kindness, facts, and zero shame.
How Can I Manage My Pain Day to Day?
If you live with endometriosis or persistent pelvic pain, you probably already know that pain doesn’t follow a neat, predictable schedule. Some days are manageable. Others are overwhelming. And many days fall somewhere in between.
Endometriosis Surgery Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week Insights
Recovery from endometriosis surgery is about more than wound healing. It’s a delicate process of physical, emotional, and hormonal adjustment- especially in the first few weeks.
From Lived Experience to the World Stage: How Co-Design is Transforming Endometriosis Surgery Support
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, provided by the Western Australian Government Department of Health, and the Market Access Grant Scheme grant from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (now the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification). Their contributions helped us showcase our co-designed endometriosis surgery support program on the global stage at the World Congress on Endometriosis 2025.
The Power of Community: Why We Created the Matilda Circle
Living with endometriosis can feel isolating. That’s why we created the Matilda Circle- a supportive, validating community where you’re seen, heard, and never alone.
How I Unlearned Hiding My Pain to Seem ‘Low Maintenance’
I wanted to be the friend who said yes to every invite. The one who was always up for a spontaneous catch up or a last-minute trip. The one who could bounce back quickly, no matter what her body was going through.
Instead, I was constantly navigating a body I didn’t fully understand, symptoms I didn’t yet have language for, and a health system that often made me feel invisible. So, I learnt to perform—to act ‘normal’.
Bowel Symptoms in Endometriosis: What’s Normal, What’s Not.
It’s one of the most common- yet least talked about- challenges of living with endometriosis: bowel symptoms.
Many people with endometriosis experience bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, pain with bowel movements, or a sensation of incomplete emptying. These symptoms can occur even without endometriosis directly affecting the bowel, because of the condition’s links with inflammation, nerve sensitisation, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pilates and Endometriosis: What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions I hear from patients is:
"Can I do Pilates if I have endometriosis?"
And the answer is: there is absolutely no rule against it.
Travelling with Endometriosis: 12 Tips to Stay Comfortable on Your Next Holiday
Travelling with endo? It’s absolutely possible. Yes, you can still live your best life- whether it’s cocktails by the beach or hot chocolates in the mountains. The key? A bit of prep, some handy tricks, and listening to your body every step of the way.
Dating with Endometriosis: What I Told My Partner from the Start
Dating with endometriosis is a layered experience. It’s not just the nerves or the usual butterflies- it’s also the quiet calculations going on in the background. Will I be okay going out tonight? Should I mention the pain? What if I need to cancel at the last minute?
Why Lived Experience Matters in Endometriosis Care: Stories That Moved the World Congress in Sydney
On May 22nd in Sydney, Matilda Health and Gedeon Richter hosted a powerful evening fireside chat during the World Congress on Endometriosis 2025. In front of a room of clinicians, researchers, and advocates, Anna and Alyssa shared their deeply personal journeys with pelvic pain and endometriosis—stories of dismissal, resilience, and the long road to validation. What unfolded was more than just a conversation—it was a reminder of why lived experience must be at the centre of care, research, and innovation.
World Congress on Endometriosis 2025 – Day Two Highlights from Sydney
Day Two of the World Congress on Endometriosis 2025 kicked off with a packed morning at the Matilda Health booth. We were thrilled to welcome a steady flow of gynaecologists, allied health professionals, researchers, and people with lived experience—all curious about how our digital platform is reshaping surgery preparation and recovery for people with endometriosis.
World Endometriosis Congress 2025 – Day One Highlights from Sydney
Day One of the World Congress on Endometriosis 2025 (WCE 2025) kicked off in Sydney, Australia, bringing together a global community of researchers, clinicians, advocates, and innovators passionate about improving care for those living with endometriosis.
The Matilda team was on the ground from the start—having rich conversations, collaborating on research, and showcasing how digital innovation and lived experience can reshape endometriosis surgery support.
Endo Survival Kit – My Fav 5 Game-Changers to Tackle the Tough Days
Living with endo means constantly figuring out what helps and what doesn’t—and believe me, I’ve tried a lot. These five game-changers are my little lifelines: the things I carry, sip, slather, and swear by to get me through the toughest days.
Post-Op and Picking Yourself Back Up
Endometriosis surgery recovery is often messy, emotional, and full of surprises—even the third time around, each recovery brings its own unique challenges. Here’s an honest take on what it’s really like beyond the pamphlets and polite checklists, and how a support app like Matilda could have made the process a bit easier.
Kicking Goals with Endo: Physical Education on My Own Terms
As a primary school sports teacher, my job requires me to be on the move — running games, demonstrating drills, and keeping up with a group of energetic kids every day. It’s a role I love deeply, but like many with endometriosis, I’ve had to learn how to navigate the physical demands of my job alongside the often unpredictable symptoms of a chronic condition.
5 Tips for Running with Endometriosis
Written by Matilda endometriosis lived-experience co-designer, Emma (and first time marathon runner!), this blog explores endometriosis and running... is it bad? Should it be avoided (many health professionals often advise against it)? Any tips for running with endometriosis?
5 Tips to Navigate Endometriosis in the Workplace
As a whole body disease, Endometriosis can impact every facet of person’s life, including their ability to attend work and be proxductive whilst there. This blog focuses on tips that can help you navigate the workplace as someone with endometriosis.