Twice as many women aged 20-24 are being hospitalised for endometriosis as 10 years ago, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Endometriosis is a chronic pelvic condition that affects more than one million Australians.
The overall number of endometriosis-related hospital admissions over the past decade has increased by 54%.
Here’s what else the AIHW has found.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.
It can cause debilitating pain in the pelvic region, and can be associated with infertility.
The condition is primarily diagnosed through surgical intervention.
Hospitalisations
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In the 2022/23 financial year, more 44,000 visits to hospital were related to endometriosis, up from 28,700 in 2012/13.
The data also showed hospitalisation rates among women aged 20 to 24 had doubled over the past decade.
In 2023/24, there were more than 4,800 endometriosis-related presentations to emergency departments.
Around three-quarters needed to be seen by a health professional within 30 minutes.
Diagnosis
According to the AIHW, endometriosis has been a “historically under-recognised condition” in Australia, with an average delay of six to eight years between the initial symptoms and a diagnosis.
In recent years, diagnosis rates have increased, suggesting women are being diagnosed at younger ages.
The AIHW attributes this shift to growing awareness of endometriosis among both the public and medical practitioners.
