Could It Be Endometriosis?
Endometriosis, or more particularly diagnosis of endometriosis is often a challenge in general practice.
When should you start investigating a young girl with painful periods? Is it worth investigating or should we just put them on the Pill? At what point should these young women be referred?
Consequently, the most recent NICE guidelines on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, published in the BMJ will be of interest to any GP who manages young women.
According to the UK guidelines, there is commonly a delay of up to 10 years between the development of symptoms and the diagnosis of endometriosis, despite the condition affecting an estimated 10% of women in the reproductive age group.
Endometriosis should be suspected in women who have one or more of the following symptoms:
- chronic pelvic pain
- period pain ...
Reference
Kuznetsov L, Dworzynski K, Davies M, Overton C; Guideline Committee. Diagnosis and management of endometriosis: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ. 2017 Sep 6; 358: j3935. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j3935
