NYC Health + Hospitals Establishes Program to Expand Comprehensive and Collaborative Care for Women Suffering from Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

NYC Health + Hospitals Establishes Program to Expand Comprehensive and Collaborative Care for Women Suffering from Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

About 20 million women suffer from chronic pelvic pain in the United States. Endometriosis is a common gynecologic cause of chronic pelvic pain, and the symptoms can be debilitating

1 in 10 women in the U.S. have endometriosis, and it generally takes 10 years to receive a diagnosis

Jan 13, 2026

New York, NY - NYC Health + Hospitals today announced the launch of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Program to enhance the health care system's gynecologic care. Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus instead grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can grow on the ovaries, intestines, or bladder and cause excruciating pain. According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, 1 in 10 women in the United States have endometriosis, and it generally takes up to 10 years to receive a diagnosis. Chronic pelvic pain is a complex disease defined by pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen that lasts for more than six months. According to the International Pelvic Pain Society, chronic pelvic pain can be caused by multiple conditions from different organ systems, such as gynecologic, gastrointestinal, urologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and others.

Led by Dr. Vijay Palvia and Dr. Daniel Barraez, the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Program offers a wide array of diagnostic tools, medical therapies, and surgical procedures. More importantly, the program provides continuity of care with a robust team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, mental health providers, and social workers. Treatment can include hormonal medication, multimodal pain medication, pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle medicine interventions, and surgery. Patients can be referred to the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Program from a NYC Health + Hospitals gynecology practice.

"Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain have too often been dismissed or misunderstood, particularly among women who have historically faced barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment," said Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, Chief Women's Health Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. "At NYC Health + Hospitals, our program is built to listen first, believe our patients, and deliver equitable, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that provides coordinated, high-quality care across the continuum."

"Endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain are complex diagnoses that require prompt screening, accurate diagnosis, and thorough management," said Vijay Palvia, MD, Co-Director of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Program at NYC Health + Hospitals. "We are excited to provide a service that has been long-awaited and will address the needs of our diverse and underserved population."

"This program represents a major step forward in how we care for patients with complex pelvic pain," said Daniel Barraez, MD, MBA, FACOG, FACS, Co-Director of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Program at NYC Health + Hospitals. "By integrating advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive surgical options, physical therapy, mental health support, and coordinated follow-up, we are creating a truly multidisciplinary model. Our goal is simple: deliver high-quality, compassionate care that meets our patients where they are and supports them through every stage of their journey."

NYC Health + Hospitals offers a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic services, including primary care, family planning, abortion care, prenatal through delivery care, midwifery and referrals for doula services, postpartum care, breastfeeding and lactation services, breast exams, nutrition, behavioral health referrals, preventative care, first and second trimester abortion care, and vaccinations. Gynecology services include menopause and fibroid treatments, as well as specialty practices for gynecologic cancers, pelvic pain and endometriosis. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1-844-NYC-4NYC.

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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth -all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.