So, you’ve been dealing with killer period pain for years, maybe some gnarly pelvic discomfort that won’t quit, and everyone’s told you it’s “just part of being a woman.” Then you finally get taken seriously, see a GP, and boom—endometriosis diagnosis. You’re not alone. Like, really not alone.
New research from Monash University just dropped a bombshell: endometriosis diagnoses in Australian general practice have surged by a whopping 72% over the past decade. Between 2011 and 2022, we went from 6.4 diagnoses per 1,000 women to 11 per 1,000 (Ball et al., 2025). That’s nearly double. But before you panic-spiral, let’s unpack what this actually means—because spoiler alert, it’s not necessarily bad news.
This isn’t just about more people having endo (though awareness definitely helps). It’s about visibility, advocacy, better diagnostic tools, and the slow-but-steady dismantling of the “suck it up, princess” attitude that’s plagued women’s health forever. At June Health, we’re all about cutting through the noise and giving you the real story—no medical gatekeeping, no dismissive BS. So let’s dive into what this research reveals, why diagnoses are climbing, and what it means for your health journey in Australia today.
What the Monash Study Actually Found
The research team analysed data from MedicineInsight, a massive database tracking over 2.8 million Australian women aged 15–49 who visited GPs between 2011 and 2022 (Ball et al., 2025). Here’s the headline: endometriosis diagnoses shot up 72% during that time. But the devil’s in the details, and those details tell a much richer story.
Key findings at a glance:
- Overall increase: From 6.4 to 11 diagnoses per 1,000 women annually
- Age matters: Women aged 35–39 saw the biggest jump (96% increase), followed by 30–34-year-olds (93%)
- Regional differences: Outer regional and remote areas showed steeper increases than major cities—84% vs. 68%
- Socioeconomic patterns: Women in less disadvantaged areas had higher diagnosis rates, but the gap narrowed over time
What’s driving this? The researchers point to a perfect storm: endometriosis is finally in the cultural spotlight (thank you, activists and celebs speaking out), medical guidelines have evolved to encourage earlier diagnosis without always requiring surgery, and awareness campaigns like EndoMarch Australia are doing the damn work (Ball et al., 2025).
But here’s the kicker: this increase probably reflects better detection of existing cases, not an epidemic of new disease. Translation? Endo was always there—we’re just finally catching it.
Why Diagnoses Are Rising (and Why That’s Mostly Good)
Let’s break down the forces behind this 72% surge, because understanding the “why” helps you navigate your own health with confidence.
1. Awareness Is Finally Catching Up
For decades, endometriosis was the silent disease. Women suffered through debilitating pain, fertility struggles, and bowel/bladder chaos, only to be told it was “normal” or “in their heads.” Not anymore. High-profile campaigns, media coverage, and even government funding (hello, National Action Plan for Endometriosis launched in 2018) have dragged endo into the light (Australian Government Department of Health, 2018).
GPs are now trained to suspect endo when women present with chronic pelvic pain, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), or pain during sex (dyspareunia). The old “wait and see” approach? Slowly dying. And good riddance.
2. Diagnosis Without Surgery Is Now a Thing
Here’s a game-changer: you don’t always need laparoscopic surgery to get diagnosed anymore. While surgical confirmation (via laparoscopy with tissue biopsy) remains the gold standard, Australian guidelines now recognise that clinical diagnosis—based on symptoms, imaging like transvaginal ultrasound or MRI, and expert assessment—can be enough to start treatment (Johnson et al., 2020).
Why does this matter? Surgery is invasive, expensive, and comes with recovery time. If your GP strongly suspects endo based on your symptoms and an ultrasound shows classic signs (like ovarian cysts or “chocolate cysts”), they can start you on hormonal management or pain relief without making you jump through surgical hoops first. This shift likely accounts for a chunk of the diagnosis spike—more women are being diagnosed earlier, without needing an operating theater.
3. Regional Australia Is Getting Better Access
One of the coolest findings? Outer regional and remote areas saw diagnosis rates climb faster than cities (Ball et al., 2025). This suggests telehealth, outreach programs, and targeted education are closing the gap. It’s still not perfect—rural women face waitlists and specialist shortages—but the trend is moving in the right direction.
4. The Squeeze on Older Women
Women in their mid-to-late 30s experienced the steepest increases. Why? By that age, many have been dealing with symptoms for years (the average delay to diagnosis in Australia is still a brutal 6.5 years), and they’re done being dismissed (Armour et al., 2020). They’re also more likely to be navigating fertility concerns, which fast-tracks investigation. Plus, older millennials are the generation saying “enough” to medical gaslighting—and GPs are (slowly) listening.
What Does This Mean for You?
Okay, so diagnoses are up. You’re probably wondering: Should I be worried? Could I have endo? What do I do now?
If You’re Experiencing Symptoms
Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 9 Australian women and people assigned female at birth (Rowlands et al., 2021). Classic red flags include:
- Severe period pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter painkillers
- Chronic pelvic pain (not just during your period)
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements or urination, especially around your period
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Fertility challenges
- Fatigue, bloating, or nausea that coincides with your cycle
If any of this sounds familiar, here’s your action plan:
- Track your symptoms: Use a cycle-tracking app or journal to document pain patterns, intensity, and triggers. This gives your GP concrete data.
- Book a GP appointment: Be assertive. Say, “I’m concerned I might have endometriosis based on my symptoms.” Don’t downplay the pain.
- Ask about imaging: A transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic MRI can spot signs of endo (though a “normal” scan doesn’t rule it out).
- Push for referrals if needed: If your GP isn’t taking you seriously, request a referral to a gynecologist or endometriosis specialist. You’re allowed to advocate for yourself.
If You’ve Just Been Diagnosed
First off: you’re not broken. Endo is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus (on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, etc.), causing pain and scarring. It’s not your fault, and it doesn’t define you.
Next steps:
- Explore treatment options: These range from hormonal contraceptives (to suppress lesions) and pain management (NSAIDs, pelvic physio) to surgery (excision or ablation of lesions). Work with your specialist to find what fits your goals (e.g., symptom relief vs. fertility preservation).
- Tap into support networks: Endometriosis Australia and Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia offer resources, peer support, and advocacy tools.
- Prioritize holistic care: Endo impacts mental health (anxiety, depression are common), so consider psychology support via Medicare’s Mental Health Care Plan (Australian Psychological Society, 2023).
If You’re Worried About the “Increase”
Deep breath: the 72% rise doesn’t mean endo is becoming more common in a biological sense. It’s not contagious, and environmental factors (while studied) aren’t proven culprits. What is happening is we’re finally diagnosing people who’ve been suffering in silence. This is progress, not a public health crisis.
Diagnosis Delays Remain Brutal
Even with increased awareness, the average time to diagnosis sits at 6–7 years (Armour et al., 2020). That’s years of pain, lost productivity, and emotional toll. Why? Outdated beliefs that period pain is “normal,” dismissive attitudes from some clinicians, and the fact that endo symptoms overlap with conditions like IBS or pelvic inflammatory disease.
What needs to happen:
- Better medical education: GPs need standardized training on recognizing endo early.
- Fast-track pathways: Specialist referrals shouldn’t take 6+ months in major cities (let alone regional areas).
Equity Issues Persist
The Monash study showed women in less disadvantaged areas had higher diagnosis rates initially, though the gap narrowed (Ball et al., 2025). But marginalized groups—First Nations women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, migrants—still face barriers like cultural stigma, language gaps, and distrust of healthcare systems.
June Health is proudly ally-friendly and inclusive, recognizing that people with vaginas of all genders deserve dignified, accessible care. But system-wide change is slow.
Key Things to Remember
- Endometriosis diagnoses in Australia jumped 72% from 2011–2022, driven by better awareness, non-surgical diagnostic pathways, and advocacy—not a surge in new cases.
- If you have chronic pelvic pain, severe period pain, or painful sex, track your symptoms and push for a GP appointment. You deserve to be heard.
- Diagnosis delays still average 6+ years, so don’t be afraid to seek second opinions or specialist referrals.
- Regional and socioeconomic gaps are narrowing, but equity in endo care remains a work in progress.
- You’re not alone: 1 in 9 Australian women and people assigned female at birth live with endo. Community support and evidence-based treatment can transform your quality of life.
- June Health’s at-home tests help you manage other crucial health needs (STIs, cervical screening) discreetly, so you can focus energy on tackling endo.
Healthcare should lift you up, not wear you down. If this research teaches us anything, it’s that when we demand better—louder, together—systems start to shift. Keep advocating for yourself, lean on your support networks, and remember: your pain is valid, your story matters, and solutions exist. We’ve got your back.
Sources
Armour, M., Sinclair, J., Chalmers, K. J., & Smith, C. A. (2020). Self-management strategies amongst Australian women with endometriosis: A national online survey. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03027-w
Australian Government Department of Health. (2018). National Action Plan for Endometriosis. Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-action-plan-for-endometriosis
Australian Psychological Society. (2023). Mental Health Care Plans: What You Need to Know. https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/medicare-rebates-psychological-services
Ball, E., Bailie, J., Morgan, V., Hu, W., & Britt, H. (2025). Study reveals significant increase in diagnosis of endometriosis in women attending Australian general practice. Monash University Medicine News. https://www.monash.edu/medicine/news/latest/2025-articles/study-reveals-significant-increase-in-diagnosis-of-endometriosis-in-women-attending-australian-general-practice
Johnson, N. P., Hummelshoj, L., Adamson, G. D., Keckstein, J., Taylor, H. S., Abrao, M. S., … & World Endometriosis Society Sao Paulo Consortium. (2020). World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis. Human Reproduction, 32(2), 315-324. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dew293
Rowlands, I. J., Teede, H., Lucke, J., Dobson, A. J., & Mishra, G. D. (2021). Young women’s psychological distress after a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis. Human Reproduction, 31(9), 2072-2081. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dew174
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing symptoms of endometriosis, consult a GP or specialist.
