UK investigation finds doctors frequently urge pregnancy for endometriosis, prompting patient distress

LONDON — An investigation by Metro in partnership with Endometriosis UK finds that more than three-quarters of women with endometriosis report being advised by doctors to become pregnant as a treatment, despite no clinical evidence that pregnancy offers a long-term cure. The condition, which affects about 1.5 million women in the United Kingdom, is characterized by endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus, producing pain, heavy bleeding and, for many, infertility concerns. Advocates say too little is known about the disease, and that patients often confront dismissive responses when seeking care.

Tiffany Summerfield, now 31 and from Cardiff, describes her first visit for crippling pelvic pain at 19 as a turning point. A general practitioner told her to “get a boyfriend and get pregnant,” a line she says reflected a broader pattern of fertility-centered messaging she encountered from day one. “From day one, I was told I have to think of my fertility and consider having children sooner rather than later,” she recalled. “I literally felt like a ticking time bomb.” She has never had children and lives with endometriosis alongside adenomyosis, another uterine condition. Her story is part of a broader pattern reported in the investigation, which also notes heavy menstrual bleeding beginning in adolescence and multiple surgeries as doctors attempted to map and treat the disease.

Tiffany describes a medical system that repeatedly framed her future in terms of fertility. She recalls a 5-centimeter blood-filled ovarian cyst that twisted and caused nearly daily agony, the collapse she experienced as a teenager, and a sequence of surgeries, including a chemically induced menopause at age 21 to control symptoms. She recently underwent her fourth or fifth procedure since turning 19, ultimately leading to the removal of her left ovary and fallopian tube after ongoing pain recurred. “Are you absolutely certain that you want this removed?” one surgeon asked, with another warning that the operation might require a return trip to the OR if the tissue was not ready to be removed. “This is my choice, and I don’t want to wake up in another surgery,” she said.

The National picture is echoed by Endometriosis UK Specialist Advisor Joanne Hanley, who told the outlet that recommending pregnancy as a treatment is “both inaccurate and misleading.” Endometriosis is described as a long-term condition with no definitive cure. While pregnancy can suppress menstruation for a time, many patients continue to experience pain during pregnancy and symptoms often return after birth as menstrual cycles resume. Hanley urged comprehensive education for all health-care practitioners—GPs, pharmacists, nurses, and emergency department staff—to ensure patients receive timely, appropriate guidance rather than pressure to conceive.

For Tiffany, the fertility focus extended into employment and personal relationships. She says the constant question of whether she had children affected every new relationship and contributed to her leaving a healthcare role after years of chronic pain and numerous sick days. A Cardiff employer later adopted an endometriosis-friendly policy that allows absences related to the condition to be marked differently, providing relief and maintainable work life for the first time in years.

Lynsey Turner, 49 and from Southampton, recalls a similar pattern after being diagnosed at 26 following years of trying to conceive. She underwent a laparoscopy to remove cysts and lesions, only to learn that some lesions were attached to her veins and could not be removed. Turner, who has since become a wellbeing coach, notes that “there is no product out there that can cope with the periods I have.” She describes episodes of extreme bleeding, including a time at a supermarket when she had to return to the store to buy fresh clothes after an episode, a vivid memory that underscores how debilitating the condition can be. Turner also describes a life shaped by anemia, fatigue and the sense that gender biases persist in medical care, including dismissive attitudes toward her symptoms.

Ashita Landge, 30, was diagnosed with endometriosis last year, after enduring painful, heavy periods since her mid-teens. She says doctors pressed her to consider her fertility options because of a “biological clock,” which sparked anxiety about pregnancy and the potential need for IVF. Landge reports a mixed NHS experience: some clinicians provided clear explanations and options, while others delayed diagnosis or required her to seek care across borders. “What about women who never want to be pregnant? What about women who haven’t thought about it yet?” she asked. Eventually, after multiple consultations across countries and a laparoscopic procedure in her home country six months ago, she reports significant relief and a pain-free period since the operation, illustrating the variability in treatment outcomes and the ongoing need for individualized care.

Across these accounts, Endometriosis UK emphasizes that the disease is not simply a reproductive issue but a lifelong, systemic condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. The organization is pushing for mandatory training for health practitioners to recognize the signs early and to place patients on the right pathways for treatment and support, rather than steering them toward fertility-centric solutions or dismissal.

Experts warn that the personal stories reflect a wider pattern that can undermine timely diagnosis and effective care. The Metro-Endometriosis UK investigation highlights how pervasive the pressure to conceive can be and how it intersects with women’s mental health, job security and social relationships. Critics say that treating endometriosis as a problem that only resolves with pregnancy risks delaying more effective interventions, including surgery, targeted hormonal therapies, and ongoing pain management strategies that improve quality of life regardless of reproductive plans.

The condition now commonly described as a “whole-body” or systemic disease continues to challenge clinicians to balance symptom relief, fertility planning and long-term health outcomes. While some patients report relief from symptoms during pregnancy, many experience a return of pain afterward, and there is no universally accepted cure. The investigation underscores the need for comprehensive, patient-centered care that acknowledges the burden of chronic pain and the realities of life for those who do not or cannot become pregnant.

Endometriosis UK notes that the current landscape includes significant delays in diagnosis for many patients, inconsistent access to specialized care, and insufficient funding for research into more effective treatments. The organization has called on the government to expand education and resources for clinicians and to increase support for patients navigating the health system, including employment accommodations and mental-health services. For those living with endometriosis, the path to a stable and fulfilling life remains complex, and advocates say that progress will depend on recognizing the disease beyond its reproductive implications and treating patients with the full spectrum of care they deserve.