The state of endometriosis care in the UK: A roadmap for driving down diagnosis times and improving access to care (2 March 2026)

Summary

New data released by Endometriosis UK has revealed that the average time to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK has now reached 9 years and 4 months. Alarmingly, this figure has increased from an average of 8 years reported in 2020.

The findings, from a survey by Endometriosis UK, highlight the struggles of individuals seeking diagnosis and management to help reduce the severity of symptoms: 39% of respondents reported needing to visit their GP 10 times or more before endometriosis was suspected. Additionally, 55% of respondents attended A&E with their symptoms, but 46% of these were sent home without treatment.

Content

Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It's common, affecting 1 in 10 women. Symptoms vary from person to person and can be severe and debilitating. Common symptoms include; pelvic pain, painful periods that interfere with everyday life, heavy menstrual bleeding and pain during or after sex. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with endometriosis.

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said:

“It is unacceptable that those living with endometriosis have to endure years of pain and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis. Our findings underscore the urgent need not only for increased awareness and understanding of endometriosis and menstrual health among healthcare providers, but for this to be translated into action, with appropriate levels of resources allocated by the NHS to overcome far too long waiting lists and enable access to care where and when it’s needed.

“Endometriosis care has been neglected for too long and the situation is getting worse. Governments across the UK must treat endometriosis as a common, chronic condition that requires systematic action and we want an unequivocal commitment to reduce average diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030.”

Bethany Backhouse, age 28 from Stoke on Trent, was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017. She said:

"For a long time I was told I was too young to have endometriosis, I was told that my symptoms were just 'painful periods' despite passing out at school due to the pain. It took about six years for me to get a diagnosis and it has had a huge impact on my education, my mental health and my life. I've had to go through medical menopause which was extremely difficult and I'm still experiencing the symptoms. I've had surgery but unfortunately the endometriosis has returned and I'm now on the waiting list for another operation."