Women suffering from the condition will be given priority in a new system to launch next year
05:00, 11 Jan 2026Updated 10:05, 11 Jan 2026
(Image: Amy Parker)
A Bristol woman who faced an agonising nearly 15-year long wait to be diagnosed with endometriosis has hailed a new NHS service as an important breakthrough for women suffering from the condition.
This week, NHS England announced menstrual health conditions – including endometriosis – will be one of the priority areas supported by a new NHS online hospital which is due to launch in 2027.
Avonmouth woman Amy Parker, who has endured the nightmare of endometriosis since she was a teenager, described the announcement as amazing news for women in her situation.
“It is the best news endometriosis sufferers have received in terms of getting help under the NHS,” she said. “Giving women easy access to understand more (about their condition) and get help quicker is essential as this could seriously help people from suffering longer while their condition progresses.”
Amy Parker, 28, had to wait for nearly fifteen years to be formally diagnosed with endometriosis(Image: Amy Parker)
Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb appear elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle which can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue and in some cases infertility.
The condition affects roughly one in ten women in the UK between the start of puberty and the menopause, which equates to over 1.5 million people.
Like many women, Ms Parker faced a prolonged wait to even be diagnosed with endometriosis. Despite experiencing severe pain for the first time at the age of 14, the 28-year-old was only formally diagnosed last year.
“Reducing waiting times is severely overdue and this comes as a huge relief to women all over England who are suffering unnecessarily,” she said.
“Reducing waiting times is of utmost importance as endometriosis can grow and spread with time. This will help with endometriosis sufferers’ mental health which suffers massively during the current long waiting times.”
The NHS’s so-called online hospital, which was first announced in September, will allow patients to have assessments, check-ups and follow-up appointments online. When the system is live, people will still be able to opt for face-to-face appointments instead; the aim of the virtual service is to speed up access to healthcare and reduce waiting times for in-person appointments.
Menstrual problems are one of nine conditions that will be prioritised when the service launches. The others are: glaucoma, conditions affecting the retina at the back of the eye (including age-related macular degeneration), cataracts, inflammatory bowel disease, iron deficiency anaemia, prostate enlargement, raised PSA – prostate specific antigen – levels (not cancer diagnoses) and menopause.
Emma Cox, chief executive of charity Endometriosis UK, said the inclusion of menstrual problems on the priority list was an significant moment.
“Endometriosis UK welcomes NHS England’s decision to prioritise menstrual health, including endometriosis, in the new NHS Online hospital,” she said.
“For too long, those with endometriosis have faced unacceptably long waits and uneven access to specialist care. This new initiative has the potential to be a real step forward if it delivers faster diagnosis, quicker access to specialists, and genuine patient choice.
“We look forward to working with NHS England to ensure the NHS Online Hospital delivers meaningful, long-term improvements for everyone affected by endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions.”