Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus — most often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic lining. Each month this tissue responds to your hormonal cycle: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. Because the blood has nowhere to go, it causes inflammation, adhesions, and sometimes ovarian cysts. It affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK, and the average time from first symptoms to diagnosis is 7 to 9 years. Private assessment at The Vesey aims to close that gap significantly.
What it is
Each month this misplaced tissue responds to your hormonal cycle, bleeds, and is trapped — causing inflammation, adhesions, ovarian endometriomas (chocolate cysts) and chronic pelvic pain. NHS waits for a definitive diagnosis average 7–9 years. Our gynaecology team aims for diagnosis and a written management plan within four weeks.
Symptoms and signs
- Cyclical pelvic pain that worsens around menstruation and can persist between cycles.
- Painful intercourse (deep dyspareunia) and pain on bowel movement or urination during a period.
- Heavy or irregular periods, prolonged bleeding, or spotting between periods.
- Subfertility — endometriosis is found in 30–50% of women investigated for infertility.
- Chronic fatigue, low mood and reduced quality of life caused by years of unexplained pain.
How we investigate
Initial consultation includes a structured pain history and pelvic examination. We arrange transvaginal pelvic ultrasound (often same-week) and, where deep infiltrating endometriosis is suspected, pelvic MRI through our imaging partners. Definitive diagnosis is usually by diagnostic laparoscopy where indicated.
Treatment options at The Vesey
- Medical management — first-line analgesia, combined hormonal therapy, progestogens, the Mirena IUS (which we fit on-site) and GnRH analogues with add-back HRT for severe cases.
- Operative laparoscopy — excision of endometriotic deposits, ovarian cystectomy and adhesiolysis. Performed by accredited laparoscopic surgeons in partner hospitals; we coordinate the pathway end-to-end.
- Fertility-aware planning — we work alongside reproductive medicine where conception is a goal; surgery is timed and planned with that in mind.
- Pain medicine input — for chronic neuropathic pelvic pain we have direct access to our pain consultant Dr Arul James, including pulsed RFA and lumbar sympathetic block where indicated.
Can endometriosis be cured? +
Endometriosis cannot be cured but can be effectively managed with hormonal therapy, surgery, pain medicine, or a combination. Many women achieve good long-term symptom control with the right treatment plan.
Does endometriosis always affect fertility? +
Not always. Mild endometriosis may have little impact on fertility. Moderate to severe disease — particularly with ovarian endometriomas or tubal involvement — can reduce fertility and may benefit from surgical treatment before trying to conceive.
What is the difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis? +
Endometriosis involves tissue growing outside the uterus; adenomyosis involves it growing into the uterine muscle wall. The two conditions can coexist and both cause painful, heavy periods.
Is a laparoscopy the only way to diagnose endometriosis? +
Laparoscopy is the gold standard. However, a skilled transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic MRI can identify many cases — particularly ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating disease — enabling treatment planning before surgery.
Pricing at a glance
Initial consultant gynaecology consultation £260 · Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound from £240 · Mirena IUS fitting from £350 · Laparoscopic surgery quoted individually. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book a private gynaecology consultation if you have had three or more months of pelvic pain that is interfering with work, sleep or intimacy, or if you have been on an NHS waiting list for an endometriosis assessment and want to accelerate diagnosis and treatment planning. No GP referral required.
Cost and pathway
Initial consultant gynaecology consultation £260. Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound from £240. Mirena IUS fitting from £350. Laparoscopic surgery pricing is patient-specific — we provide a written quote after consultation. Self-pay and insurance accepted (BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix).
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our consultant gynaecology team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.87/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
View our gynaecology services →
Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727