A new report from the Westminster Women and Equalities Committee highlights the widespread neglect faced by women with painful reproductive health conditions such as heavy periods, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Many women are being dismissed when they seek medical help, leading to years of delayed diagnosis and treatment, and leaving them in severe pain that disrupts their daily lives.
Committee Chair Sarah Owen has called out what she described as “misogyny in medicine,” claiming it is leaving women in pain and their conditions undiagnosed. Owen emphasized the need for more investment in and support for women’s reproductive health, saying that despite the prevalence of these conditions, a significant lack of awareness remains among primary healthcare providers.
The committee’s inquiry included interviews with women, including BBC presenter Naga Munchetty and TV personality Vicky Pattison, who shared their personal experiences of struggling to receive appropriate care. The investigation revealed a “clear lack of awareness and understanding” of women’s reproductive health conditions, compounded by stigma, lack of education, and insufficient research.
The NHS has seen a marked increase in gynaecological waiting lists, now growing faster than any other medical specialty. Data from BBC News revealed that waiting lists for gynaecology appointments in the UK have more than doubled since 2020, with approximately 755,000 women waiting for health appointments.
Women who face delays often have to pay for private treatment. Claire, 40, shared how she paid £10,000 for a hysterectomy after waiting three years for the same procedure on the NHS due to her endometriosis and adenomyosis. Similarly, Bethany, 27, who was diagnosed with endometriosis seven years ago, is exploring private treatment after experiencing significant delays and worsening symptoms.
A cultural norm of “just putting up with it” has also been cited by women like Gabriella Pearson, who began experiencing severe period pain at age 10. Despite seeking medical help, her symptoms were dismissed, leading to mental health struggles and infertility. Pearson, now 32, co-founded a charity supporting women’s menstrual health and is scheduled for a hysterectomy next year due to her adenomyosis.
The report calls for the NHS to urgently implement training programs to improve the experience of women seeking treatment for gynaecological conditions. It also calls for women to be provided with specialist mental health support, recognizing the emotional toll these conditions take.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the situation, calling it “totally unacceptable” that women with reproductive health conditions are not receiving the care they need. The government has committed to overhauling women’s healthcare, with an extra £26bn being invested into the NHS to address these issues and prioritize women’s health.
Health ministers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also stated their commitment to addressing long waits for treatment and improving care for women’s health.