The devastating cost of delayed endometriosis diagnosis

The Women’s Health Matters conference was held yesterday, 3 September 2026, where Professor Zozo Nene spoke on the significance of early detection and diagnosis of endometriosis.

The head of the Reproductive and Endocrine Unit at the University of Pretoria and the Steve Biko Academic Hospital said that the healthcare system must stop expecting women to adapt their lives to untreated pain.

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What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where the tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing severe pain, explains the World Health Organisation. Affecting a woman’s fertility and everyday life, around 190 million young girls and women of reproductive age are estimated to suffer from endometriosis.

Professor Nene is mostly concerned about the lack of sufficient local data on the condition.

The cost of delayed diagnosis

Endometriosis can cause severe pain that affects the daily functioning of the women who have this condition. This is something the Professor states shouldn’t be dismissed as being a woman. TshisaLIVE reports the professor noting that any pain that disrupts daily activity warrants sufficient assessment.

Nene warns that the impact of untreated and undiagnosed endometriosis can stretch across a woman’s entire life.

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Impact on career and education

The first facet of a woman’s life that is affected by untreated endometriosis is her schooling and work. For young girls struggling with the condition, the severe period pains can lead to missed school days and subsequently social withdrawal. Thus affecting both self-esteem and academic performance.

This shows up the same for women entering the workforce. The severe pains lead to frequent absenteeism. Thus affecting productivity and further impacting possible career growth. Nene explains that absenteeism isn’t the whole story, sharing that the condition affects “presenteeism” as well.

Impact on fertility

The symptoms of the condition are also associated with infertility, making the diagnosis time-sensitive. Fertility goals need to be discussed early, as well as treatment plans that align with the patient’s fertility plans.

Impact on overall health

Endometriosis can also affect sleep, sexual health, exercise, and mental well-being. Symptoms can be broader than just period pains. Professor Nene notes that symptoms can include chronic pelvic pain, painful sex, bowel pain, cyclical bowel bleeding, urinary symptoms, and heavy menstruation, which affects the overall and general health of women with the condition.

Dr Nene calls for better menstrual health education among young people and earlier referrals and diagnosis for young girls with symptoms that interfere with their schooling.

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