GPs to be trained to recognise symptoms of endometriosis earlier
GPs in Wales will be trained to recognise symptoms of endometriosis earlier, in a bid to improve diagnosis.
The introduction of a specialist training programme comes six months after the Welsh Government launched its Women's Health Plan for Wales. It is aimed at improving women's experiences of healthcare across the country.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that causes debilitating pain and can start when women begin their period.
One in ten women lives with the condition, but the wait in Wales to get a diagnosis is longer than anywhere else in the UK and can take up to 9 years.
Sarah Murphy, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said, "Women have told us that they feel they are not heard, and their symptoms are ignored.
"This training ensures women's voices are central to their healthcare experience, and it helps GPs support their patients more effectively."
What is endometriosis?
It's caused when tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow elsewhere.
Each month, cells react in the same way as those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.
But unlike cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has nowhere to go and can't escape the body.
This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue. The condition is as common as asthma or diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from woman to woman and can include:
Chronic pain
Fatigue/lack of energy
Depression/isolation
Problems with sex life/relationships
An inability to conceive
Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments
Even with a diagnosis, some women in Wales are being told they'll have to wait up to 7 years for treatment within the NHS.
The new expert-led training will be rolled out across Wales and, among those already participating, has led to a 43% increase in GPs' knowledge of the condition.
Dr Mirka Slavska is one of the specialist consultants who has delivered the training. She said, "'The session covered differential diagnoses, referral pathways, novel diagnostic and treatment options, and introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool.
'The excellent feedback we received reflects the value of equipping healthcare professionals with current, practical knowledge to improve care for those living with endometriosis.'
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