The change that could cut years off an endometriosis diagnosis

Author: Thomas Coughlan,
Publish Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2026, 4:17pm

A change to clinical guidelines will support GPs to make a diagnosis based on a woman’s symptoms, family history and examination, rather than requiring surgery to confirm it. Photo / Getty Images

Women and girls with endometriosis will be able to receive a diagnosis and start treatment sooner under new clinical guidelines that will be rolled out next year, the Government says.

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Minister for Women Nicola Grigg announced the change this afternoon. They said that under the status quo, it can take eight to 12 years to receive a diagnosis.

This is partly because laparoscopic surgery is usually used to confirm endometriosis, meaning women can spend years waiting for both diagnosis and treatment.

A change to clinical guidelines will support GPs to make a clinical diagnosis based on a woman’s symptoms, family history and examination, rather than requiring surgery to confirm it. Once a clinical diagnosis is made, GPs will be able to prescribe treatment immediately, Brown said.

For up to 60% of women, low-impact hormonal medication is an effective option, Brown and Grigg said in a press release.

“Surgery will remain available for those who need it, but it will no longer be the only route to a diagnosis. Instead, women will be able to access non-invasive first-line treatment in primary care,” Brown said.

Grigg said there would be training and education for primary care providers to support the new guidelines.

“Earlier diagnosis depends on symptoms being recognised in the first place, and we hear all too often that they have not been,” Grigg said.

“Too many women have spent years saying something is wrong, only to be told their pain is normal and something they simply have to put up with. It is not,” she said.

“Guidelines alone will not fix that, which is why Health New Zealand is developing training and resources so GPs can recognise endometriosis in order to make a diagnosis and start treatment.

“Earlier diagnosis means treatment can begin sooner, while also giving women an explanation for symptoms they may have lived with for years, along with the support they need to manage them. Health New Zealand is also exploring additional pain management support, including pain education and allied health services,” she said.

The guidelines will come from the Australian Living Evidence Guideline on Endometriosis.

This work is being undertaken with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, other medical colleges and Endometriosis New Zealand.