Vagenius Training: Breaking barriers in women’s pelvic health education
Vagenius Training is making waves by addressing one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare – pelvic pain.
Founded by Learning and Development specialist Colette McKiernan and APA Titled Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Rachel Andrew, Vagenius Training is a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance education for healthcare practitioners, ensuring better outcomes for women and individuals assigned female at birth.
Bridging the knowledge gap in pelvic health
“Vagenius Training was created to improve knowledge sharing in the women’s pelvic health space,” says Rachel.
“We aim to establish a high standard of education for health practitioners so they can provide optimal care.”
To achieve this, Vagenius collaborates with leading GPs, such as GP lead for perimenopause and menopause Dr Natasha Vavrek, and Dr Emily Ware, a women’s health GP with expertise in vulvovaginal health, endometriosis, and pelvic pain.
“Persistent Pelvic Pain (PPP) has such a profound impact on individuals, yet it’s often misdiagnosed or dismissed,” says Emily.
“By providing practical education, we equip GPs with the tools to recognise and address these conditions effectively.”
Vagenius also works with physiotherapists, psychologists, and pain specialists to create a multidisciplinary approach.
“Pelvic pain is complex, requiring collaboration across different fields,” says Rachel.
“By integrating expertise from various specialties, we can provide a comprehensive learning experience for healthcare professionals.”
Barriers to diagnosis and treatment
Despite growing awareness, women continue to face significant hurdles in accessing appropriate treatment for pelvic pain.
“There are psycho-social barriers – shame, stigma, and mistrust due to negative medical experiences,” explains Colette.
“Mental health factors such as anxiety and trauma histories further complicate care.
“The drivers of pain in women are different, due to the uterine and ovarian specific pathology, the impact of female hormones, and the way in which pelvic floor muscles respond to trauma, anxiety and inflammatory mediators.
“Women have a higher incidence of gender-based violence and sexual trauma, and this increases their life-time risk of gynaecological presentations.”
Rachel says that as an undergraduate physio, she was taught only about the bony pelvis, with no focus on the pelvic floor or organs.
“However, it’s crucial to know that 60 per cent of bladder pain syndrome is linked to a childhood tailbone injury, and 92 per cent of non-specific low back pain in women is related to pelvic floor dysfunction.
“These facts are fundamental in providing comprehensive care.”
In some cases, a patient’s symptoms can be confusing, especially when pelvic pain is linked to bowel issues such as dyschezia, defecation dysfunction, or IBS, which can be associated with endometriosis.
Systemic obstacles also persist.
“There’s a fundamental lack of education on pelvic health, starting from school curriculums all the way through medical training,” Rachel adds.
“This leads to delays in diagnosis, limited treatment options, and inequitable access to care – particularly for marginalised communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and gender-diverse individuals.”
Emily highlights another major issue: “Too often, pelvic pain is normalised or dismissed.
“Patients are told that painful periods are just part of being a woman, or that pain during intercourse is ‘normal.’
“This mindset prevents people from getting the medical help they need.”
Creating a more equitable future
To drive lasting change, systemic action is required.
“Gender bias is deeply ingrained in medical education and practice,” says Colette.
“We need policies that prioritise women’s health and invest in targeted research.”
Vagenius courses emphasise trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and inclusive approaches.
“Our aim is to upskill practitioners so they can challenge biases, ask the right questions, and provide holistic, patient-centered care,” adds Rachel.
The team at Vagenius is also advocating for curriculum changes in medical schools.
“If we can shift the way pelvic pain is taught at the foundational level of medical training, we can make a lasting impact on patient care,” Emily notes.
“We’d love to see pelvic health integrated into core medical training rather than being an afterthought.”
The road ahead
With a clear vision for the future, Vagenius Training continues to expand its offerings, with upcoming courses on problematic periods and vulval pain.
“Education is key,” says Emily. “The more we train healthcare providers, the more we can improve outcomes for patients.”
Vagenius is also launching a mentorship program to support early-career GPs and physiotherapists in developing their skills in pelvic health.
“We want to create a strong network of practitioners who feel confident in managing these conditions,” says Rachel.
By breaking barriers and accelerating action, Vagenius is not just reshaping pelvic health education – it’s transforming lives.
Their mission is clear: empower healthcare professionals, challenge outdated norms, and ensure that no woman has to suffer in silence due to a lack of medical knowledge or understanding.
