Women in the UK are waiting nearly nine years for an endometriosis diagnosis, a report has found, with delays increasing by ten months since the pandemic began. The condition, which affects one in ten women, now takes an average of eight years and ten months to be identified, according to Endometriosis UK.
The charity's survey of 4,371 women with the disease revealed that 47% visited their GP at least ten times before diagnosis, and 52% attended A&E at least once. Only 17% of those attending A&E were referred to gynaecology on their first visit, while 78% were told they were making a 'fuss about nothing'.
The delays mean women miss out on timely treatment, allowing the disease to progress and potentially cause permanent organ damage. Endometriosis UK said women are being 'dismissed, ignored and belittled' by healthcare professionals.
Women's health strategy minister Maria Caulfield acknowledged the issue, stating: 'We are working to turn dismissed, ignored and belittled into listened to, understood and empowered.' The charity has called for more resources to tackle the condition, which affects 1.5 million women in the UK.
