Reproductive Health Peer Reviewed

Diagnostic Delay in Endometriosis: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Authors: Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, Prof. Linda Vance, PhD

Published: November 2025

Journal: Journal of Gynecologic Surgery & Clinical Practice

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DOI Identifier:10.1016/j.gyne.2025.10.045

Abstract

This study evaluated 1,200 patients presenting with dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain. The mean diagnostic delay from symptom onset to laparoscopic visualization was found to be 7.4 years, driven by symptomatic overlap with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and normalization of menstrual distress by primary care providers.

Background & Study Details

### Introduction Endometriosis affects 10% of women globally, yet diagnostic delay remains a global healthcare challenge... ### Results Delay is closely associated with normalization of pain (62% of cohorts) and incorrect referrals for gastrointestinal dysfunction (34% of cohorts). ### Conclusion High-resolution transvaginal ultrasound training and early referral to laparoscopic specialists is required to decrease the diagnostic gap.

Citations & Medical References

Vance L, et al. Normalization of menstrual pain in adolescent medicine. J Adolesc Health 2022.
World Health Organization. Staging and diagnosis guidelines for pelvic pathology, 2021.