Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie has called for better access to endometriosis services for South Australian women living with the debilitating condition

The federal government has funded 20 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics around Australia. 

Only one clinic was allocated to South Australia and it is in Kadina, leaving 99 per cent of South Australia's women unable to access desperately needed clinical support, according to Ms Sharkie.

The federal health department funds the clinics through the Primary Health Networks (PHN). 

It says they have a range of mechanisms available to ensure provision of services to priority populations; affordable patient support services; and greater accessibility for patients across the community.

Ms Sharkie says the Copper Coast Council holds just one per cent of the state's population. 

She says Kadina is situated almost two hours north-west of Adelaide and has no direct transport links with many parts of the s state, leaving the majority of SA women unable to access this federally funded service.

“South Australian women should not be expected to travel lengthy distances to access the state's only federally funded endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic.

"How do women from my electorate who are in severe pain travel up to Kadina for this service? The cost of transport, accommodation, time away from work or family just for an appointment is prohibitive.

"I have raised this with the federal Health Minister Mark Butler MP in the past. I have also written to the Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney MP, and the response received was pretty underwhelming.

"This is an urgent health issue, affecting thousands of South Australian women. The Federal Government needs to right this wrong and provide a clinic that the remaining 99 per cent of South Australian women can reasonably access."

"I have so many women in my electorate who were distraught to learn the only clinic to be funded in SA would be in Kadina. 

“Women like Deanna, a 28-year-old constituent, whose diagnosis took so long that her endometriosis advanced to the point that she had to have a hysterectomy. One woman told me ‘They might as well put it on the moon - it's as easy to access’."

Endometriosis is a common disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. 

According to Endometriosis Australia, around 11 per cent of Australian women live with endometriosis at some point in their lives, with the disease often starting in teenagers.

Variable symptoms contribute to delays in diagnosis of up to seven years; it can cause severe pain and even infertility.