If you suspect that you or a loved one may have endometriosis, you might be concerned about how long it can take to obtain a diagnosis. According to research by Endometriosis UK, it takes an average time of eight years and 10 months to obtain an endometriosis diagnosis, a figure that increased by 10 months from 2020 to 2023, which is suspected to have been caused by the pressure on medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, pandemic impact aside, the existing delay in diagnosis is caused by a number of factors, including under-resourced services; a lack of public awareness of the condition and its symptoms; and a complex diagnostic process. Unfortunately, as endometriosis is a chronic condition that can worsen over time, delaying diagnosis and treatment can result in complications such as infertility, and escalating symptoms. It’s important to note that you have legal rights when it comes to wait times under public healthcare, and you can read more about these here.
As Dr Rosie Grainger explains, “The longer it takes for endometriosis diagnosis and for the patient to begin a treatment plan, the higher the risk of the disease spreading to other parts of the body, which can lead to digestive issues; infertility; organ damage; and chronic pain and heavy bleeding (which have their own consequences, including poor mental health and anaemia). With this in mind, it’s important to obtain a prompt diagnosis. By going directly to a gynaecologist as soon as you begin to experience symptoms like abnormal pain and bleeding, you can significantly decrease your wait times and chance of misdiagnosis.”
In this article, we explore why endometriosis wait times are so long, what needs to be done to decrease wait times, and how you can obtain a prompt diagnosis.
Why are endometriosis waiting times so long?
Under-resourced gynaecology services
It is widely reported that gynaecology has long been one of the most deprioritised and underfunded areas of healthcare. Many services are stretched thin, with long waiting lists and limited access to specialists. This shortage means that women experiencing symptoms such as pelvic pain, heavy periods or pain during intercourse often face significant delays before being referred to a gynaecologist. Even after referral, there can be long waits for diagnostic procedures such as ultrasounds, MRI scans or diagnostic laparoscopy (the gold standard for confirming endometriosis).
Lack of awareness
A widespread lack of awareness among both the public and healthcare professionals continues to contribute to diagnostic delays. Many people dismiss painful periods as “normal”, while others may not recognise the broader symptoms of endometriosis, such as fatigue, bloating or pain during bowel movements. In primary care (the first point of contact in the healthcare system), GPs who are not trained to recognise the complexity of endometriosis may mistake symptoms for other conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to misdiagnosis and further delay in accessing specialist care.
Complex diagnostic process
Endometriosis is notoriously difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can overlap with several other gynaecological and gastrointestinal conditions. Imaging tests can sometimes miss smaller lesions or deep infiltrating endometriosis, and while laparoscopy provides the most accurate diagnosis, it is an invasive surgical procedure that requires hospital resources and anaesthetic care. The complexity of the condition itself – varying in severity and location from person to person – means that even specialists may take time to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Pandemic impact
The COVID-19 pandemic placed extraordinary pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, and gynaecology services were among the hardest hit. Routine procedures, including diagnostic laparoscopies, were postponed, and many elective surgeries were cancelled. This created a significant backlog that is still being addressed today. For those with endometriosis, these delays often meant prolonged suffering, increased pain, and in some cases, disease progression.
What needs to be done to decrease endometriosis wait times?
Increased funding
Adequate funding for women’s health services is essential to reduce waiting times and improve outcomes. With more resources, healthcare providers can hire additional gynaecologists, expand surgical capacity, and invest in advanced diagnostic tools. Increased funding would also allow for dedicated endometriosis centres, which can streamline diagnosis and treatment by bringing together multidisciplinary teams of specialists.
Improved training and awareness
Education is a key part of tackling diagnostic delay. GPs and other frontline healthcare professionals must be better equipped to recognise endometriosis symptoms early and refer patients promptly. Likewise, public awareness campaigns can help individuals identify when their pain is not “just part of being a woman” and seek help sooner. Better awareness also encourages empathy and understanding from employers, families and partners, which can make a significant difference in the quality of life for those affected.
Patient advocacy
Empowering patients to advocate for themselves plays a crucial role in obtaining timely diagnosis and treatment. Women who track their symptoms, communicate clearly with their GP, and ask for specialist referrals are more likely to be taken seriously. Support groups and charities, such as Endometriosis UK, offer valuable resources and guidance to help individuals to help individuals navigate the healthcare system and access the care they need more quickly.
Endometriosis symptoms: When to see a medical professional
Endometriosis can cause a wide range of symptoms. These include:
- Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
- Pain during or after sex
- Chronic pelvic pain between periods
- Painful bowel movements or urination, especially during menstruation
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Fatigue, nausea or bloating
If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, or if they are affecting your quality of life, it’s important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Persistent pain should never be ignored.
How to obtain a quick endometriosis diagnosis
While wait times can be lengthy, there are ways to speed up the diagnostic process. Booking a consultation directly with a private gynaecologist allows for faster access to diagnostic tests such as ultrasound scans or MRI imaging, and if needed, a prompt referral for laparoscopy.
At The Gynae Centre, our experienced specialists are trained in identifying and managing endometriosis. We provide comprehensive, individualised assessments and access to advanced imaging and surgical diagnostics without long waiting lists. Treatment for endometriosis can be quite simple, such as hormonal treatments of medications to stop the period and the good news is that these can be initiated quickly and reviewed after a 6 month trial. We don’t always need to just straight to laparoscopy. Our goal is to provide clarity, relief and a tailored treatment plan as soon as possible, so that you can begin managing your condition and improving your quality of life.
Book online or call 020 7580 8090 to book a consultation.
