The prevalence of GP-diagnosed endometriosis rose 60% between 2011 and 2021, although patients whose first symptoms were bowel-related still waited three years on average for a diagnosis, research suggests.

A Monash University-led study looked at the medical records of nearly 20,000 patients aged 14-49 who received an endometriosis diagnosis from their regular GP, and saw a GP at least three times in 10 years.

It found the annual age-standardised prevalence of GP-diagnosed endometriosis rose from 1.78 per 100 women in 2011 to 2.86 in 2021, an increase of 60%.

This included a 230% increase in diagnoses in women aged 20-24.