Endometriosis patients to receive dedicated fertility care under new NICE guidelines

Credit: Getty Images/Igor Suka

By Claudia Tanner

Women with endometriosis struggling to conceive in England will benefit from a tailored fertility treatment pathway for the first time, under landmark new guidelines published by NICE.

The updated fertility guideline includes a dedicated section specifically for endometriosis, recognising that the condition requires its own distinct approach to fertility care rather than being grouped with other causes of infertility.

Endometriosis affects approximately 1.5 million people in the UK yet despite its prevalence, patients have historically faced confusion and inconsistency when accessing fertility treatment.

The dedicated endometriosis section was added after NICE's independent committee considered feedback from patients, patient groups, clinicians and professional bodies during public consultation.

Respondents also highlighted that terms such as "mild" and "severe" endometriosis were clinically ambiguous and failed to reflect the condition's complexity or its impact on fertility. These terms have been removed from the final guideline.

A personalised approach

Under the new recommendations, clinicians will discuss a range of options with patients trying to conceive, taking into account individual factors including how long they have been trying, symptom severity, age, ovarian reserve, and any male fertility factors.