Endometriosis: why so many women are seeking a private diagnosis

March is Endometriosis Action Month, and this year it arrives alongside some particularly significant new data.

A survey by Endometriosis UK has revealed that the average time to receive an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK has increased to 9 years and 4 months, up from 8 years in 2020.

As Emma Cox, chief executive of the charity, commented: ‘It is unacceptable that those living with endometriosis have to endure years of pain and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis.

The survey found that 39% of respondents needed to visit their GP ten times or more before endometriosis was even suspected, and 55% had attended A&E with their symptoms, yet nearly half of those were sent home without treatment. Perhaps most troubling of all, 83% of respondents reported being told by a healthcare practitioner that they were making a fuss about nothing.

It is little wonder that more women are choosing not to wait. Increasingly, they are turning to private healthcare for an endometriosis diagnosis. Private care can offer faster access to specialist consultations, advanced imaging and modern diagnostic tools.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, most commonly around the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. It affects around one in ten women from puberty to menopause, making it one of the most common gynaecological conditions in the UK, yet it remains consistently under-recognised.

The condition is not simply about painful periods. Left undiagnosed and untreated, endometriosis can progress, causing worsening symptoms and, in some cases, affecting fertility and causing organ damage.

Recognising the symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person, and this variability is part of what makes endometriosis so difficult to identify through a standard GP appointment. Common signs include pelvic pain that is persistent or cyclical, periods that are unusually heavy or painful, pain during or after sex, pain when using the toilet during a period, difficulty conceiving and fatigue that feels disproportionate to your circumstances.

Because many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or ovarian cysts, they may be attributed elsewhere. This is one reason why the diagnostic journey is so long for so many women.

When should you seek help?

The straightforward answer is: if something does not feel right, trust that instinct. Pain that regularly disrupts your daily life, sleep or work is not something you simply have to endure. Fertility concerns, particularly if you have been trying to conceive for some time, are also worth exploring in the context of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is diagnosed through a combination of symptom evaluation, pelvic exams and imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI. A definitive diagnosis requires a laparoscopy – a surgical procedure to visualise pelvic tissue with a camera.

What are the treatment options?

There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are several effective ways to manage it, and the right approach depends on your symptoms, your age and whether you are hoping to conceive.

Pain management is often the first step, using anti-inflammatory medications alongside hormonal treatments such as the combined pill, the hormonal coil or hormone-modulating medications that reduce oestrogen levels and help slow the growth of endometrial tissue.

For more significant cases, surgery may be recommended. Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, is currently the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis and can also be used to remove or reduce deposits of tissue which are causing symptoms. When fertility is affected, a referral to a fertility specialist is important to discuss your fertility preservation or treatment options.

Taking the next step

If you have been managing unexplained pelvic pain, difficult periods or other symptoms that feel out of proportion, you deserve answers. At GP London W1, our women’s health team offers thorough, unhurried consultations and can refer you promptly to trusted gynaecology specialists.

To book an appointment, please contact us at 25 Harley Street or via the website.