For Medics

`I had many perimenopausal symptoms, saw so many different doctors. Not one of them made the connection’.

`Prior to this diagnosis [of endometriosis], I know that I been back and forth to my GPs countless times. I felt like I was being constantly fobbed off.’

Endometriosis, menopause and uro-gynaecological problems such as prolapse and incontinence affect many people in the UK.

There is some symptom overlap, and some individuals may encounter all three

conditions – but the main commonality is not a sign or symptom. It’s something less visible, and was discussed in a webinar forming part of our Tackling Health Inequalities campaign.

At the webinar,Dr Sharma joined Dr Louise Newson and Mr Abdelmageed Abdelrahman as we talked about the common theme of women not being heard. This is a health inequality in its own right.

Why aren’t women heard? It appears that sometimes healthcare professionals aren’t asking the right questions, or sometimes women don’t come forward, or sometimes women just aren’t listened to when they do seek help. It takes on average 7–8 years for a diagnosis of endometriosis to be made – quite shocking when you consider that 1.5 million women experience it.

In the recorded version of our webinar, which is free to view on MIMS Learning for a limited time, our speakers revealed their passion and commitment to making a difference for women by educating healthcare professionals to ensure that the right

questions are asked, that these common conditions are considered, and that referrals and interventions are timely.

The patient viewpoint

The clinician speakers were joined by Siobhan Kennett, a patient representative who has had surgery for endometriosis after `years’ of presenting to her GP with heavy and painful periods, chronic fatigue, abdominal bloating, frequent urination, and being offered only the contraceptive pill and antidepressants. After a scan revealed endometriosis on her ovaries, she waited six months to see a gynaecologist, and was told it would be 18 months before she could have surgery.

Siobhan concluded: `Between experiencing my early symptoms and eventually

receiving surgical treatment and a diagnosis for endo, it was about 10 years.’

Her experience is borne out by the NCEPOD report into endometriosis published this summer, which Dr Sharma was involved with.

This report, Endometriosis: A long and painful road, found that 58% of patients surveyed had multiple visits to the GP before any investigations were undertaken or treatment initiated.

Dr Sharma presented a key slide for GPs listing symptoms to look out for. She said:

`I’d like you to put that slide on your desktop, share it with your colleagues so that when you see a patient – even a young woman aged 17 and under – presenting with these symptoms, just think of endo.’