Faye Farthing
Head of Communications, Endometriosis UK
Menstrual health has long been a deprioritised and underfunded area. Learn why the state of endometriosis care must be addressed urgently.
The latest Endometriosis UK research shows that, on average, it takes 8 years and 10 months to get diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK. Since 2020, gynaecology waiting lists in England have grown faster each month than any other elective speciality in percentage terms.
Improving endometriosis care
Delays in diagnosis and treatment times can have a devastating impact on a patient’s life including their physical and mental health, education, relationships, fertility and work. Not only can the disease worsen if left untreated, but the impact on someone’s life cannot be overstated.
Implementing key changes to endometriosis care would not only reduce pain and suffering for those with endometriosis, but it would also save the NHS time and resources. The new Labour Government now has an opportunity to assess and change how endometriosis care is delivered and to provide long-awaited hope for the 1.5 million with endometriosis in the UK.
Endometriosis must be recognised as a chronic
condition and given parity with other chronic
conditions, such as diabetes and bowel disease.
Endometriosis as a chronic condition
Endometriosis must be recognised as a chronic condition and given parity with other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and bowel disease. This is highlighted as one of the changes recommended by a new report published this July, ‘A long and painful road’, by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD).
The report calls for a step change in how endometriosis care is provided in the NHS. It evidences the issues faced today by those with endometriosis, and the recommendations show how improvements can — and must — be made.
Identifying endometriosis symptoms
Currently, endometriosis symptoms are generally treated as multiple acute (one-off)
episodes, with symptoms often unrecognised by healthcare practitioners as potentially being endometriosis. The need for care pathways, holistic and medical management supporting mental and physical health, plus follow-up if symptoms recur, are highlighted in the NCEPOD report — all of which Endometriosis UK has long been calling for.
Ultimately, we need every healthcare practitioner to recognise endometriosis symptoms so that anyone experiencing them can then be placed on the right pathway and access the right care at the right time.
