Faye Farthing
Head of Communications
The average wait time for an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK is unacceptable: nine years and four months, up from eight years in 2020.
Endometriosis UK’s latest data shows that diagnosis times for endometriosis are getting worse. For ethnically diverse communities, diagnosis takes even longer: 11 years on average. There’s a significant opportunity to turn these statistics around, with governments across the UK finally starting to shift priorities.
Hope for improved endometriosis diagnosis and care
The 10 Year Health Plan in England, the introduction and promise of Women’s Health Plans in all four nations and commitments to improve NHS workforce capacity and morale are all positive steps in the right direction.
Endometriosis UK also welcomed the recently announced NHS Online, a virtual hospital in England due to launch in 2027, with menstrual health conditions, including endometriosis, being a priority area. If implemented correctly, this could be a step forward in prompt access to specialist support and triage to prompt, local initial investigations.
This has the potential to support earlier diagnosis, speed up access to ongoing treatment and effective management, reduce unnecessary delays and improve access to surgery where required — saving NHS resources while reducing patient suffering and potential disease progression related to long diagnosis and waiting times.
For ethnically diverse communities, diagnosis takes even longer: 11 years on average
Advocating for change during Endometriosis Action Month
For decades, we’ve heard the same, all too familiar stories of those with endometriosis or symptoms continuing to feel overlooked by healthcare systems that are failing to meet the demand of patients with menstrual health conditions.
With promising developments in endometriosis care, we hope 2026 will finally be the year for change, to ensure the next generation of those with menstrual health conditions aren’t let down.
