Associate Professor Susan Evans has been a specialist, researcher, educator, innovator, advocate and CEO in pelvic pain for over 20 years.

As a gynaecologist, laparoscopic surgeon and pain physician, A/Prof Susan Evans saw the difficulties girls and women with pain suffered, and the lack of co-ordinated, effective services to help them. 

Since then, her work has focussed on addressing the wide range of issues that reduce the ability of girls, women and men with pelvic pain to live to their full potential. This has involved PhD research into the lived experience and neuroimmune causes of period pain, pelvic pain and endometriosis, Co-founding the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia, co-developing the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis (PPEP Talk) Schools Program, and her current work with Alyra Biotech developing innovative new treatments for pelvic pain. 

Dr Evans is a Springboard Enterprise 2020 Life Science Alum, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an Advisory Group Member for Australia’s National Endometriosis Action Plan.

In 2023 she was a finalist for Australian of the Year (SA)

Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain (and eBook) are available for purchase from the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia www.pelvicpain.org.au

Alyra Biotech

Pelvic pain is a field of medicine that has been left behind, missing out on the innovation seen in so many other areas of healthcare. Alyra Biotech was created to develop new and innovative products for women with pelvic pain. We target excess immune activation in the uterus to impact the Uterus-Brain Axis and reduce pain and pain-related symptoms in the central nervous system. Alyra Biotech is currently trialing a novel intrauterine device to modulate the immune system within the uterus and reduce immune activation of glial cells in the central nervous system.

Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia

The Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia (PPFA) is a not-for-profit charity, formed to promote education, research and advocacy for those suffering from pelvic pain. Our Periods, Pain and Endometriosis (PPEP Talk) Schools Program currently reaches around 25% of Australian High Schools and continues to increase reach across Australia. PPEP Talk also educates male students keen to better support the women in their life with pain. 

PPFA educates health practitioner education across a wide range of disciplines. We care for both sides of the consultation desk to enhance the consultation experience for both patients and practitioners.

PPFA provides specialist education programs for workplaces, athletes, coaches, community groups, CALD and indigenous communities

Patient Information

Dr Evans retired from clinical practice in March 2024 to focus on her work with Alyra Biotech and the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia. 

Thought leader, and advocate achieving a new Medicare Item Number supporting longer consultations for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain - value $49M
2024
Finalist, South Australian of the Year. Awarded patent (China) for Alyra Biotech technology.
2023
Awarded patent (US) and CUREator Grant (MRFF funding) for Alyra Biotech technology human clinical trial
2022
Awarded PhD for research investigating the neuroimmune mechanisms underlying period, pelvic and endometriosis pain. Awarded title of Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
2021
Co-wrote the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis (PPEP Talk) Schools Programs for teens with pelvic pain - $10M Federal/State funding
2018
Founded Alyra Biotech to develop innovative treatments targeting the Uterus-Bain Axis.
Member, Robinson Research Institute Advisory Board 2018-23
2017
Co-founded the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia as a peak advocacy and education body supporting Australians with Pelvic Pain and the Health Practitioners who support them.
2014
Founded Pelvic Pain SA – a multidisciplinary clinic treating endometriosis and pelvic pain
2012
Co-authored the policy document The $6Billion Woman and the $600Million Girl: The Pelvic Pain Report.
2011
Awarded Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine.
2010
Authored the book Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain to support women with pain regardless of their location or income.
2005
First female Board Member, Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy Society
2002