The number of women presenting to Australian general practice with endometriosis almost doubled between 2011‒2021, according to a new study by Monash University’s SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence.
The comprehensive cohort study, The clinical presentation, investigation, and management of women diagnosed with endometriosis in Australian general practices, 2011–2021: an open cohort study, was published this month in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
The analysis offers insights aimed at helping refine future strategies to help improve GP diagnosis and management of the condition into the future.
The research analysed deidentified electronic medical data from almost 20,000 women with endometriosis, aged 14 to 49 years, who sought care from 660 general practitioners across 2,700 clinics.
According to researchers, the increase in endometriosis prevalence may reflect the contributions of endometriosis advocacy groups at raising awareness of this condition amongst consumers and health professionals, as well as improved use and quality of clinical investigations, such as pelvic ultrasound.
“We saw a significant increase in women attending general practice with endometriosis. They present to the GP with a broad range of symptoms, which can make it difficult for a GP to recognise the presence of endometriosis,” lead author of the study, SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence Director, Professor Danielle Mazza, said.
“Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are often complex and can be present in a range of conditions other than endometriosis. We need to provide support to GPs so they are better able to identify and manage endometriosis. There is more to be done.”
Professor Mazza said the study also provides important new insights into the presentation and management of endometriosis in Australian general practices, including important background information for the implementation of an endometriosis management plan, scheduled for mid-2026.
Eight general practice clinics located in various parts of Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and West Australia, began piloting the new Endometriosis Management Plan (EMP) in June 2025.
The development, piloting and national release of the plan was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the National Endometriosis Action Plan.
The new study also reveals:
- The median time taken to diagnose endometriosis in women attending general practice is 2.5 years.
- A significant increase in the use of pelvic ultrasounds requested by medical practitioners for diagnosis from the analysis period from 2011 to 2021.
“The increase in numbers of women receiving pelvic ultrasounds is also welcome given recent guideline recommendations to utilise this investigation to assist in diagnosis,” Professor Mazza said.
There is also much greater focus on endometriosis by clinicians, medical researchers and policymakers, evidenced by the Federal Government’s announcement of 11 additional endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics as part of the 2025-26 Federal Budget, as well as the funding of an update of the national endometriosis guidelines and the development and release of the EMP. Read the research paper: here
