For many women on the Central Coast, living with suspected endometriosis can feel like a long and frustrating journey. Chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, pain with intercourse, bowel or bladder symptoms, fertility struggles — and yet often normal ultrasounds.
One of the biggest challenges has been access. Access to the right imaging. Access to experienced reporting. Access to answers without having to travel to Sydney.
That’s where Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) scans come in.
What is Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis?
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis refers to endometriosis that grows more than 5mm beneath the surface of pelvic tissue. It can involve structures such as:
- The bowel
- The bladder
- The uterosacral ligaments
- The rectovaginal septum
- The ovaries
DIE can be significantly more complex than superficial endometriosis and often requires a higher level of imaging expertise to detect accurately.
Why Standard Ultrasounds Often Miss It
Traditional pelvic ultrasounds are not always designed to map deep endometriosis. Detecting DIE requires:
- Advanced ultrasound technique
- Sonographers trained in endometriosis mapping
- Specialist oversight and reporting
- A structured approach to evaluating specific anatomical compartments
Without this, women are often told their scan is “normal” despite ongoing debilitating symptoms.
Why This Matters for Women on the Central Coast
Until recently, many Central Coast women had to travel to Sydney to access high-level endometriosis imaging.
That meant:
- Extra time off work
- Travel costs
- Delayed diagnosis
- Longer waiting periods
- Fragmented care between imaging and treating specialists
Now, subspecialised DIE ultrasound services are available locally, reducing the need to leave the Coast for this level of care.
The Medicare Rebate Change
Medicare has introduced a new item number for complex gynaecological ultrasound imaging, including DIE scans. This has significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients, making this level of imaging far more accessible than it previously was.
Patients with a referral from their GP for a DIE Scan are eligible for a $216.75 rebate from the $462 upfront payment, making the scan more affordable. If you do not have a referral, you can still have the scan but you won’t have access to the rebate.
Who Should Consider a DIE Scan?
A DIE scan may be appropriate if you have:
- Severe or worsening period pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements during your period
- Unexplained infertility
- Persistent pelvic pain despite normal scans
- A previous diagnosis of endometriosis with ongoing symptoms
Why Specialised Reporting Matters
A DIE scan isn’t just about identifying endometriosis. It’s about mapping it.
High-quality reporting can:
- Guide surgical planning
- Determine whether bowel surgeons need to be involved
- Help avoid incomplete surgery
- Inform fertility planning
- Support long-term management strategies
For women considering surgery, detailed imaging can dramatically improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood of repeat procedures.
Local Access. Local Expertise. Integrated Care.
Having advanced women’s imaging available on the Central Coast means:
- Faster access to appointments
- Reports typically returned within 48 hours
- Subspecialist oversight
- Coordination with local gynaecologists
- Reduced need for Sydney referrals
Most importantly, it keeps care closer to home.
The Bigger Picture
Endometriosis awareness has grown significantly in recent years, but awareness alone isn’t enough. Access to the right diagnostics is critical.
For Central Coast women, having local access to Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis imaging is a meaningful step forward in improving quality of life, fertility outcomes, and surgical precision.
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of endometriosis, call us to find out more today! Early answers can change the trajectory of care.