Yahoo News NHS symptoms of endometriosis as health chiefs aim to speed up diagnoses for women
Efforts are being made to speed up the diagnosis process for women with endometriosis.
Estimates suggest many women wait for up to a decade after the onset of symptoms before they receive a formal diagnosis. Delays can lead to prolonged suffering, ill health and risks to fertility, experts say.
Now health leaders have issued new guidelines for NHS workers in a bid to speed up the process. It takes an average of eight to 10 years for those affected to receive a diagnosis, according to the charity Endometriosis UK.
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Updated guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) include:
Women with suspected endometriosis should be asked about family history of the disease
Specialist ultrasound can be used as an alternative to MRI scans for investigating suspected endometriosis
Medics have also been told not to exclude the possibility of endometriosis if a pelvic examination and ultrasound are "normal"
They have also been told to ensure women are given information throughout their "care journey" so they know what to expect
"This guideline will help healthcare professionals detect endometriosis early, to close the symptom to diagnosis gap and ensure more timely treatment," said Professor Jonathan Benger, chief medical officer and interim director of the Centre for Guidelines at Nice. "We recognise that capacity in endometriosis clinics remains an issue, and that waiting times to be seen in secondary care can sometimes be lengthy.
"However, Nice also recognises the serious problems which people with suspected endometriosis face in accessing the care they need and the consequences of delayed diagnosis and treatment. This update aims to help tackle these problems by clarifying what high-quality care for women with suspected endometriosis should be.
"It is also sometimes the case that women are not always informed when endometriosis is suspected and do not have the pathway of care explained to them. This guideline should help ensure women with suspected endometriosis are informed about what to expect, and that appropriate information is provided throughout their care journey."
Women's health minister Baroness Merron said: "Endometriosis can be debilitating and women with this condition have been failed for far too long. This Government is determined to overhaul women's healthcare and these changes will help patients receive an accurate and timely diagnosis, benefitting over a million women."
What is endometriosis?
The NHS explains that endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body. It can have a big impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help.
Symptoms of endometriosis
Endometriosis usually grows in areas around the womb, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It can also affect organs such as the bladder and bowel.
Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed during your period but cannot leave your body. You might have some symptoms during your period, such as:
severe period pain, that stops you from doing your normal activities
heavy periods, where you need to change your pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes.
pain when you poo or pee
You can have other symptoms at any time in your menstrual cycle, such as:
pain in your lower tummy and back (pelvic area)
pain during or after sex
extreme tiredness (fatigue)
You may also have difficulty getting pregnant and have low mood or anxiety. Endometriosis is commonly diagnosed in women and girls, from when their periods start (puberty) through to menopause. It can affect anyone who has periods. More information is available from the NHS here.
