A consultant gynaecologist at HCA Healthcare UK’s The Wilmslow Hospital, Dr Gupta has over 15 years’ experience specialising in menstrual problems, endometriosis and cervical smear abnormalities. She is an expert in minimal access surgery, including robotic surgery, and has extensive experience in treating advanced endometriosis, pelvic pain, heavy periods, and complex menopause cases.

Could you explain what endometriosis is and how it affects the body?

Endometriosis is a condition where cells and tissue like the womb lining (the endometrium) grow elsewhere in the body. It’s thought that 1 in 10 women in the UK suffer from this condition. The cause is still unknown, but it tends to cause a range of symptoms, including heavy and irregular periods, inflammation in the pelvic region, back and legs, painful sex, fatigue, and possibly even fertility problems. 

Why does it often take years to diagnose endometriosis, and what steps are being taken to reduce this delay?

Patients often experience delays in getting diagnosed with endometriosis, as painful symptoms have a tendency to be normalised as typical ovulation or period pain. Incredibly, it can take around 8+ years to get a diagnosis. With a vast number of treatment options and state-of-the-art innovations within our local hospital network, it’s never been easier to get advice or book an appointment to see leading specialists within days, rather than weeks or months.   

What promising research or treatments have changed the way endometriosis can be managed? 

Women’s health thankfully keeps evolving, and robotic-assisted surgery for endometriosis has garnered considerable attention, in particular for reducing recovery times. With innovations like the da Vinci robot, those with endometriosis will be in the best condition possible post-surgery, as scarring, risk of infection and blood loss are reduced due to the precise capability of the tech. There are also other medications on the horizon, which we will be keeping a close eye on for the future.