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By Scott Harding-Lister, Clinical Negligence Solicitor and Medico-Legal Expert
For many women with endometriosis, getting a diagnosis can be a long and frustrating process.
Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose and its symptoms can overlap with a number of other conditions. Severe period pain, persistent pelvic pain, bowel or bladder symptoms and difficulties with fertility may be experienced for years before the underlying cause is identified. Symptoms may initially be attributed to other conditions or treated without endometriosis being recognised.
The scale of the problem in the UK is significant. According to the latest research from Endometriosis UK, it now takes an average of 9 years and 4 months to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis.
A delayed diagnosis of endometriosis may amount to clinical negligence, sometimes referred to as medical negligence, where healthcare professionals failed to investigate or refer appropriately and that delay caused avoidable harm.
A late diagnosis alone does not mean that negligent care occurred, and every case will depend on its individual circumstances.
When should endometriosis symptoms be investigated?
NICE guidance says that endometriosis should be suspected where women present with symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, period-related pain that affects everyday life, pain during or after sex, cyclical bowel or urinary symptoms, and infertility alongside other relevant symptoms.
Importantly, a normal examination or ultrasound does not necessarily rule out endometriosis. NICE advises that referral may still be required where symptoms are persistent, recurrent or having a detrimental impact on everyday life.
For someone who has repeatedly sought medical help, this can be an important point.
When could a delay in diagnosis of endometriosis amount to clinical negligence?
A delayed endometriosis diagnosis may lead to a clinical negligence claim where the care provided fell below a reasonable standard and the delay caused additional, avoidable harm. Every case will depend on its individual circumstances.
This could include situations where there was a failure to:
- properly investigate persistent or worsening pelvic pain
- recognise a pattern of symptoms that should have raised the possibility of endometriosis
- make an appropriate referral to gynaecology
- reconsider the diagnosis following repeated appointments or hospital attendances
- investigate relevant bowel, bladder or fertility concerns
- take appropriate action because an ultrasound or examination appeared normal.
The question is not simply whether the diagnosis was late. It is whether there were opportunities to investigate or refer the patient sooner and, if so, whether missing those opportunities caused additional harm.
What impact can a delayed diagnosis of endometriosis have?
Living for years with unexplained symptoms can affect almost every aspect of someone’s life.
Endometriosis can have a significant physical, psychological and social impact, including on work, education, relationships and fertility. NICE recognises that the condition can have complex and long-term consequences for those affected.
In a clinical negligence claim, it is therefore also necessary to consider what difference an earlier diagnosis would have made.
That might involve looking at whether earlier treatment could have reduced pain, prevented or limited additional complications, reduced the need for more extensive treatment, or lessened the financial and psychological consequences experienced by the patient.
Have you experienced a delayed diagnosis of endometriosis?
Many women who have spent years trying to obtain answers may never have considered that the treatment they received could warrant further investigation.
A long diagnosis journey does not automatically mean that there has been negligence. However, where symptoms were repeatedly raised and opportunities to investigate, refer or treat them appear to have been missed, it may be appropriate to seek specialist legal advice.
Clinical negligence cases involving endometriosis can require a detailed review of GP, hospital and gynaecology records alongside independent medical expert evidence to establish what should reasonably have happened and whether an earlier diagnosis would have changed the outcome.
If you are concerned about the treatment you received before being diagnosed with endometriosis, a specialist clinical negligence solicitor can help you understand whether there may be grounds to investigate a claim.
Speak to Scott Harding-Lister
If you have experienced a delayed or missed diagnosis of endometriosis and are concerned that opportunities to investigate your symptoms or refer you for specialist care may have been missed, Scott Harding-Lister can help you understand whether there may be grounds for a clinical negligence claim.
Scott is a practising solicitor and medico-legal expert specialising in clinical negligence. Before moving into law, he held senior clinical and management roles within the NHS, including working in critical and intensive care at London teaching hospitals and as part of the North Thames regional transplant team.
His combination of medical and legal experience gives him a detailed understanding of both the clinical issues involved in a case and the legal questions that need to be considered.
Contact Scott and the Scomo team for a confidential discussion about your circumstances.
FAQs
Can I claim compensation for a delayed diagnosis of endometriosis?
Potentially. A claim may be possible if the medical care you received fell below a reasonable standard and the delay caused you additional, avoidable harm.
Does a normal ultrasound rule out endometriosis?
No. NICE guidance makes clear that endometriosis should not automatically be ruled out because an examination or ultrasound is normal.
How long do I have to make an endometriosis clinical negligence claim?
In most clinical negligence cases, the general limitation period is three years from the negligent treatment or the date you first knew, or could reasonably have known, that your injury may have resulted from negligent care. Different rules can apply in some circumstances.
What evidence is needed for an endometriosis negligence claim?
Relevant evidence may include GP and hospital records, gynaecology records, scans, referral letters and independent medical expert evidence.
Last reviewed/updated: September 2026
This article references current NICE guidance and information published by Endometriosis UK.
