Diagnostic delay in endometriosis: is there any progress?
Laura de Kok1, Zoë Boersen2, Sjors Coppus3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Reproductive Biomedicine Online
|April 29, 2026
Summary
The median time to diagnose endometriosis in the Netherlands is 7 years. Factors like presenting symptoms significantly influence this diagnostic delay for endometriosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- Endometriosis diagnosis often involves significant delays.
- Understanding diagnostic timelines is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current time to diagnosis for endometriosis in the Netherlands.
- To identify factors influencing diagnostic delay in endometriosis patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective questionnaire study across 11 Dutch hospitals (2021-2023).
- Screened 9551 medical charts, including 2289 endometriosis patients diagnosed 2018-2020.
- Collected data on demographics, symptoms, and referral pathways.
Main Results:
- Median total diagnostic delay for endometriosis was 7 years.
- Patient and general practitioner delays were 1 year each; gynaecologist delay was <1 year.
- Longer delays observed with dysmenorrhoea/bleeding; shorter delays with pelvic pain, infertility, or abdominal wall mass.
Conclusions:
- The median diagnostic delay for endometriosis in the Netherlands is 7 years.
- Symptom presentation significantly impacts the time to diagnosis.
- Abdominal wall endometriosis had a shorter diagnostic delay compared to other forms.
