Antonia was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1994, at the age of 24, after she had been experiencing chronic pelvic pain and heavy periods.
Endometriosis
Helping women manage and treat this debilitating condition. Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue develops outside the womb, commonly on the organs in the abdomen and pelvis.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide
That’s one in 10 women on average.
For women living with this chronic and complex condition, getting access to the right healthcare at the right time is critical.
Early diagnosis
Whilst there’s no cure for endometriosis, an early diagnosis means we can slow down its progress, help manage symptoms and limit any long-term impacts.
The best way to start is by consulting with a specialist team. At HCA Healthcare UK, we have created this endometriosis awareness content hub to provide tips and helpful advice for women who might be struggling to reach a formal diagnosis or are not sure where to turn for treatment. For those women, we want to let you know that we have teams of specialists, across five different locations, who are here to listen to you and support you.
Why does it take so long for endometriosis to be diagnosed?
Endometriosis takes on average 7.5 years to diagnose. But why does it take such a long time?
Here Shaheen Khazali, Consultant Gynaecologist and Endometriosis Surgeon at The Lister Hospital answers this commonly asked question.
“I cannot thank the team enough for what they have done for me - I will be forever grateful to them all. I woke up from surgery and felt like a completely different person. I felt lighter both physically and mentally, and now feel no pain at all. My skin is better, my weight is more manageable, and I am able to go to work and socialise without many of the worries I had before.”
Endometriosis in a 21-year-old patient
21-year-old Halima suffered from severe, deep infiltrating endometriosis since she began puberty. It caused debilitating pelvic, back and bowel pain and was frequently misdiagnosed until she visited Mr Denis Tsepov, Consultant Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon at The Harley Street Clinic.
Your questions about endometriosis answered
Dr Vanessa Eisman, a HCA Healthcare UK GP who specialises in women’s health, provides us with the answers to the most commonly asked questions about endometriosis.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (infection in the pelvis), adenomyosis (endometrial tissue that grows into the muscle layer of the uterus) ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or interstitial cystitis (bladder pain). It’s crucial that you talk openly and honestly about your symptoms to your GP, and that you see a doctor who you feel truly listens to your concerns.
The symptoms for endometriosis depend on where in the body the abnormal endometrial tissue is found, and therefore varies from person to person. The most common symptoms include:
- Painful or heavy periods
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
Other symptoms may include tiredness, bleeding when opening bowels or pain when passing urine.
Symptoms of endometriosis are similar to many other conditions, which means getting a diagnosis can take time as these other conditions will need to be excluded. If endometriosis is suspected, an ultrasound scan is often the first investigation, followed by a pelvic MRI if clinically indicated.
However, the only definitive way to make the diagnosis of endometriosis is by carrying out a laparoscopy – a procedure where a camera is inserted into the pelvis to help the surgeon identify and visualise any signs of endometriosis.
How can you treat endometriosis?
There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are many ways that symptoms can be treated and managed. This could be either through painkillers, hormone medicines or contraceptives. However, for many women, this will not ease the pain and they will instead require surgery to remove the endometrial tissue or surgery to remove part or all of the organ which is affected by endometriosis. It’s incredibly important that you get advice from a team who specialise in endometriosis, to ensure you receive the right care for you.
For some, complex excision surgery is required to reduce the level of pain and avoid any damage or deterioration to the surrounding internal organs. This complex surgery often involves the work of surgeons across multiple disciplines of medicine.
Patient experiences
Our patients share their endometriosis stories
Robotic-assisted surgery cured Antonia’s endometriosis
How Joyce’s endometriosis nearly cost her fertility
Fifteen years after being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Joyce was devastated to discover her symptoms were caused by endometriosis – a condition which, left untreated, can affect fertility. Here Joyce shares her experience, and how amazing her care was under the care of Mr Denis Tsepov and his team at The Harley Street Clinic.
Sarah's specialist surgery for rare endometriosis
Sarah Sparkes had always been fit and healthy – until five years ago, when she began suffering from chronic sciatic pain in her pelvis, hip and right leg, which led to her requiring help to walk.
Endometriosis clinic locations
At HCA Healthcare UK, across our network of hospitals and clinics, we have sub-specialist experts in endometriosis ready to see and treat patients and drastically improve their overall quality of life. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that each patient receives an entirely bespoke treatment plan. Our endometriosis network is comprehensive; see below where we’re able to offer care:
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London