Endometriosis and diagnostic delay: The patient's perspective

Abstract

Early diagnosis is a top priority for women with endometriosis. However, diagnostic delays are still common. It is of utmost importance to prevent diagnostic delay as this can have an adverse impact on women's physical and psychosocial health, including undergoing unnecessary treatments and a worsening of symptoms over time. Furthermore, women with endometriosis experience a sense of relief at diagnosis. The factors contributing to diagnostic delay are well documented and are differentiated into patient and medical factors, such as normalization of symptoms form both sides. The next step is to conduct more research into preventing diagnostic delay and translating evidence into clinical practice by educating the general public on the topic of endometriosis, by monitoring healthcare quality and by conducting research into biomarkers.