Endometriosis diagnosis takes more than nine years, survey shows

The average time to receive an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK has increased to nine years and four months, a survey has revealed.

Findings from a survey by Endometriosis UK revealed that the waiting time for a diagnosis has increased by almost 17% in the last six years – up from an average of eight years in 2020.

A total of 3,075 respondents that had received a diagnosis in the UK since 2015 took part in the survey, which was carried out in September and October 2025.

Around one in four respondents reported needing to visit their GP 10 times or more before endometriosis was suspected (39%).

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More than half (55%) respondents said they had attended A&E with their symptoms, and 46% of those were sent home without treatment.

When seeking medical help with symptoms, prior to diagnosis, 83% of respondents reported being told by a healthcare practitioner that they were ‘making a fuss about nothing’ and that their symptoms were ‘normal’.

Endometriosis UK is now calling for the government to treat endometriosis as a ‘common chronic condition’ with the hopes to reduce diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030.

Emma Cox, chief executive of the charity, 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.

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‘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.’

MP Kirsteen Sullivan, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on endometriosis, added: ‘Whilst I am appalled by the shocking waiting times across the UK for women to receive a diagnosis for endometriosis, I am regrettably not surprised.

‘For too long, women’s health issues have been sidelined, and this must change.

‘Endometriosis can be debilitating and devastating. Anyone suffering from this condition deserves timely and compassionate diagnosis, treatment and care.’

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. According to the charity, it is common and affects one in 10 women.

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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.

A version of this story first appeared on sister title Nursing in Practice.