Endometriosis is often dismissed even by gynecologists but can cause serious problems if untreated

Experts say endometriosis typically takes about 10 years to diagnose, and untreated disease can reduce fertility and cause extensive pelvic scarring or adhesions.

Endometriosis is a progressive inflammatory condition that is frequently missed or minimized, experts say. Dr. Sheeva Talebian described the long diagnostic delay as a clinical failure and noted many people are conditioned to accept debilitating pain as normal. The World Health Organization estimates about one in ten women of reproductive age have the condition. Diagnostic uncertainty and symptom overlap with other conditions contribute to prolonged evaluation and misdiagnosis. Key facts: - The article reports an average delay of about 10 years between symptom onset and accurate diagnosis. - The World Health Organization estimate is that 1 in 10 women of reproductive age worldwide have endometriosis. - Common symptoms noted include fatigue, joint pain, shortness of breath, irritable bowel symptoms, urinary frequency and infertility, and those symptoms can overlap with other conditions. - There is no single reliable blood test or imaging method that detects endometriosis in all cases; pelvic MRI and ultrasound can miss early disease, and a definitive diagnosis requires laparoscopic inspection. - Reported consequences of untreated disease include reduced ovarian reserve, physical blockage of the fallopian tubes, and in severe cases adhesions that alter pelvic anatomy. Summary: Diagnostic delays mean many people experience prolonged symptoms and may face fertility challenges or changes to pelvic anatomy. Some technological advances are reported to help identify markers earlier, but clinicians' recognition of varied symptoms remains a reported barrier. Undetermined at this time.