Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2022 to Question 104356 on Endometriosis: Health Services, what recent progress the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has made on updating sections in its guideline on (a) diagnosing endometriosis, (b) surgical management and (c) surgical management if fertility is a priority.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently updating its guideline on endometriosis, which will update its recommendations on diagnosing endometriosis, surgical management and surgical management if fertility is a priority. Although intelligence identified a need for addressing mental wellbeing and support for women with endometriosis, NICE’s review of the current guideline on endometriosis found no evidence that would support specific recommendations in this area.

The current guideline recognises that endometriosis can have a significant physical, sexual, psychological and social impact and that people with endometriosis may have complex needs and require long-term support. NICE currently recommends assessment of the individual support needs of people with suspected of confirmed endometriosis, taking into account their circumstances, symptoms, priorities, desire for fertility, aspects of daily living, work and study, cultural background, and their physical, psychosexual and emotional needs.

Additionally, NICE has published separate guidance on the recognition and management of depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem. NICE will also further explore the topic of mental wellbeing and support for people with endometriosis as part of its topic suite on women’s and reproductive health.

NICE is currently recruiting to the expert Guideline Committee that will be responsible for developing its suite of guidelines related to women’s and reproductive health, including the endometriosis guideline, and will publish further information about timescales on its website in due course.