A key program delivering information about pelvic pain to school students across the country – developed in South Australia – has been granted State Government funding.

More than $164,00 has been given to the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia for its Period, Pain, Endometriosis Program Talk® (PPEP), which is jointly funded with the Federal Government.

One in five women and one in 12 men will experience pelvic pain at some time in their life.

The funding will allow further education for students which normalises conversations around menstruation, pain and endometriosis to empower students on how to identify what pain is and isn’t normal.

The program is offered to students in Year 10 as part of the Australian Curriculum’s Health and Physical Education programs to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis and provide safe and supportive environments for those affected.

Physiotherapists and medical professionals helped develop the program that 40,000 students have gone through since 2019 – last year it was delivered to 105 regional and metropolitan schools across South Australia.

 "The Pelvic Pain Foundation was established on the grounds of raising awareness for a health issue that affects an estimated 500,000 Australians," said Pelvic Pain Foundation Executive Director Kirsty Mead. 

"The PPEP Talk® program was developed in South Australia, by South Australian’s and piloted in Adelaide's northern suburbs and we are incredibly proud that it has now been seen by over 40,000 students and teachers across Australia."

"We realise that pelvic pain affects many people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and social backgrounds, and our mission is simple; early education ignites early diagnosis, builds healthier communities, reduces absenteeism at school, improves overall quality of life, provides pathways to access treatment and services and alleviates the suffering of people with pelvic pain."