Corrinne Hasson: Women are waiting nine years for endometriosis diagnosis

Published: Thursday, April 02, 2026

According to the World Health Organisation 1 in every 10 women worldwide has endometriosis. In Ireland, we don’t have official data on how many people suffer from endometriosis, which is unfortunately a common theme for women’s health. However, patient led groups have shared that around 300,000 women in Ireland have the disease and 30,000 of these are complex cases.

Defining endometriosis and concerns around endometriosis care

Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the one covering the uterus grows outside the uterus causing inflammation and scar tissue to form in the pelvic region and sometimes in other parts of the body. It is universally agreed by those who have it to be extremely painful.

One of the biggest concerns is the lack of access to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The average wait time for a diagnosis is currently 9 years.

Last October, the National Women’s Council welcomed the launch of the National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis in Ireland. This framework, long overdue, represents a commitment from the HSE to improve the quality of, and access to, endometriosis care in Ireland. It highlights critical issues such as access to GPs, overall training of health personnel, and access to specialised care and treatment. Surgery is considered to be the gold standard for treatment.

We have also welcomed the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS), while recognising that women should never have to go abroad for healthcare. Migrant women, women in low-paid or insecure work, and those without access to childcare or flexible leave face significant barriers to accessing healthcare abroad.

How to address endometriosis care

So what needs to happen? As part of the Department of Health’s Endometriosis Priority Actions Advisory Group (EPAAG) we are advocating a three-pronged approach.

Training and screening strategies must be in place to ensure timely diagnosis. It is too often the case that women’s healthcare needs are dismissed. We see the same with other chronic conditions.

Surgery must become widely available and accessible in Ireland.

Chronic pain clinics can significantly improve the quality of life of people with endometriosis. But first, women’s reports of chronic pain must be taken seriously.

Corrinne Hasson is Executive Director of the National Women's Council (NWC). 

This opinion piece was first published on Healthnews.ie