Endometriosis
Painful periods, pain during sex and exhaustion that doesn't add up — what endometriosis is, why it's so often missed, and how we work out what's going on.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places.
It most often settles around the ovaries, the pelvis and the ligaments that support the womb, where it bleeds and inflames with each cycle but has no way to escape. It's common, affecting roughly one in ten women, yet it's often missed for years because the pain gets dismissed as "normal". It can't be cured, but it can be managed well — and getting a clear diagnosis is the turning point that opens up real options for the pain and for fertility.
Symptoms of endometriosis.
The amount of pain doesn't always match how much endometriosis is found — some women with severe disease have few symptoms, and the reverse is also true.
Why it happens.
No one knows for certain why endometriosis develops, and it isn't anyone's fault or anything you could have prevented. Several factors are thought to play a part.
Don't wait for it to settle.
Early assessment helps you get the right treatment sooner. See a specialist if:
Pieced together from your story, an examination and a scan.
There's no simple blood test for endometriosis, which is part of why it's so often missed. Mr Mohamed Mehasseb, Consultant Gynaecological Surgeon, begins by taking a careful history of your pain and your cycle, examines you, and uses an ultrasound scan to look at the ovaries and pelvis. A scan can reveal cysts and deeper disease but won't show everything — where the picture stays unclear, keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) remains the only way to see and confirm endometriosis directly, and this is discussed with you if it's needed.
How endometriosis is treated.
There's no single right answer — the plan depends on your symptoms, whether you're hoping to conceive, and what matters most to you.
An unhurried consultation with Mr Mehasseb to talk through your symptoms, examine you and arrange an ultrasound — the foundation for any plan.
Pain relief and hormonal treatments, including the contraceptive pill or a hormonal coil, work by quietening the cycle that drives the disease and can ease symptoms for many women.
Where it's the right step, minimally invasive surgery can both confirm the diagnosis and treat endometriosis by removing or destroying the tissue — discussed fully once the picture is clear.
Seen in days — not months on a list.
A named specialist, not a junior — all the way through.
Every price published and confirmed in writing.
Seen privately, without the wait.
We bill major UK insurers directly.
Why has my endometriosis taken so long to be recognised? +
Endometriosis is notoriously slow to diagnose — painful periods are often brushed off as normal, and there's no quick blood test for it. A consultant who takes your pain seriously and investigates properly is exactly what shortens that journey.
Can a scan confirm I have endometriosis? +
An ultrasound can pick up cysts and some deeper disease and is a valuable first step, but it can't rule endometriosis out. Where the picture stays uncertain, keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) is the only way to see and confirm it for sure — Mr Mehasseb will explain whether that's needed in your case.
Will I need an operation? +
Not necessarily. Many women manage well with pain relief and hormonal treatments, and we start with the least invasive option that fits your situation. Surgery is one route among several, considered when it's genuinely the right step for you.
Can endometriosis affect my chances of having a baby? +
It can be a factor in difficulty conceiving, though many women with endometriosis go on to have children. If fertility is a concern, raise it at your consultation so it can be weighed up when planning your care.
Do I need to be referred before booking? +
You're welcome to arrange a consultation with Mr Mehasseb directly — a GP letter is helpful if you have one, but it isn't a requirement to be seen.
What will it cost? +
The gynaecology consultation is £200 (follow-up £150). Because the right treatment approach depends on what is found, treatment fees are confirmed with you individually after your assessment. You will always have clear information before deciding to go ahead with anything.
Don't put up with it.
Book an assessment with a consultant and get a clear picture — and a plan.