Charity Endometriosis UK welcomes new NICE guidance on chronic pain

Endometriosis UK has welcomed new guidance on chronic pain released by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and had called on practitioners to do more to recognise the condition

The guidance looks at primary and secondary chronic pain in the over 16s which has reconfirmed endometriosis as a chronic pain condition.

CEO of Endometriosis UK, Emma Cox, said the charity was pleased to see the definition of chronic pain as pain that lasts three months or more, and a clear definition of and the distinction between primary and secondary chronic pain.  

She said: “It is vital that healthcare practitioners recognise the signs and symptoms of endometriosis, including chronic pelvic pain so that prompt diagnosis can take place. Only if the pain caused by endometriosis is recognised and endometriosis suspected, appropriate treatment is accessed. Otherwise, symptoms will persist, and the disease may progress. Once diagnosed, care pathways in line with the NICE guideline on Endometriosis: diagnosis and management can be followed including access to pain management services.” 

The charity has also said the new NICE guidelines on chronic pain highlight the need to strengthen existing NICE guidance on Endometriosis: Diagnosis and Management, which contains limited guidance on pain management.  

Endometriosis UK is reviewing the new NICE guideline on chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic and primary pain, in detail.

You can read the NICE Chronic Pain Guidelines here.

Do you suffer from endometriosis? Does this news make you feel more positive about how your health community is treating your condition? We’d love to hear your views, email mystory@ivfbabble.com