Life insurance with endometriosis
Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK. It is a condition that is often underdiagnosed and can range from mild to severely debilitating. For life insurance purposes, endometriosis is generally insurable, though the terms depend on severity, treatment history, and associated conditions.
The short answer
Endometriosis is usually insurable at standard to minor loading for life insurance. The key factors are severity (mild, moderate, severe), surgical history (laparoscopy, hysterectomy), current medication (hormonal treatments, GnRH analogues), and whether there are associated mental health conditions. Income protection may carry an exclusion for endometriosis-related claims if the condition has caused significant time off work.
What insurers ask about endometriosis
Insurers assess endometriosis based on its severity and impact. The questions are focused on understanding how the condition affects your overall health and daily life.
What is the severity of your endometriosis?
Mild endometriosis with manageable symptoms is viewed very differently from severe, deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Insurers typically categorise based on your treatment level and symptom impact rather than formal staging, since many people have not had laparoscopic staging.
Have you had surgery for endometriosis?
Diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopy for endometriosis is common and is not viewed negatively. If surgery was successful in managing symptoms, this can actually be positive for underwriting. Multiple surgeries or a hysterectomy suggests more severe disease and may prompt slightly more detailed assessment.
What treatment are you currently on?
The combined pill or progesterone-only treatments for symptom management are viewed neutrally. The Mirena coil for endometriosis is similarly straightforward. GnRH analogues (such as zoladex or decapeptyl) suggest more significant disease and may prompt additional questions. Pain medication including codeine or tramadol is noted but primarily relevant for income protection.
Has endometriosis caused time off work?
Primarily relevant for income protection. If endometriosis has caused recurring absences or long-term sickness, income protection insurers will take this into account. For life insurance, work impact is less directly relevant.
Any associated mental health conditions?
Chronic pain conditions, including endometriosis, are commonly associated with depression and anxiety. If you have been treated for mental health alongside endometriosis, both conditions are assessed. The mental health component is often the more significant factor for insurance purposes.
How severity affects your premiums
Mild endometriosis
Standard rates
Manageable symptoms, controlled with the pill or simple pain relief. No surgery required or a single diagnostic laparoscopy. No significant time off work. Standard rates from virtually all insurers.
Moderate endometriosis
Standard to minor loading
More significant symptoms, hormonal treatments including the Mirena coil or progesterone therapy, one or two laparoscopic procedures. Some time off work but manageable. Standard rates to minor loading (up to 25%) for life insurance.
Severe endometriosis
Minor to moderate loading
Deeply infiltrating disease, GnRH analogue treatment, multiple surgeries, possible bowel or bladder involvement, hysterectomy. Significant impact on daily life. Minor to moderate loading (25-75%) for life insurance. Income protection may be more significantly affected.
Endometriosis should not stop you getting cover
Tell us about your symptoms, treatment, and any surgery. Our specialist brokers will find the right insurer for your situation in one call.
Get QuoteThe honest answer
Endometriosis is generally well-handled by life insurers. If you have mild to moderate endometriosis, you should expect standard or close to standard life insurance rates. Even severe endometriosis is insurable, typically with a minor to moderate loading. The area where endometriosis has the most impact is income protection - if the condition causes regular time off work, an exclusion is likely. This is worth knowing upfront so you can plan accordingly. If associated mental health conditions are part of your picture, these may affect the underwriting more than the endometriosis itself.
Income protection with endometriosis
Income protection is the product most affected by an endometriosis diagnosis. Since endometriosis can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and intermittent flares, insurers assess the likelihood of endometriosis-related work absence.
No significant time off work: Standard terms or minor loading with no exclusion from many insurers. The condition is noted but does not affect the policy substantially.
Some time off work related to endometriosis: An endometriosis or gynaecological exclusion is likely. The policy would cover you for all other reasons you might be unable to work.
Significant or recurring absences: Broader exclusion or possible decline for income protection. Short-term income protection (1-2 year benefit period) may be easier to obtain than long-term cover.
A note on fertility
Many people with endometriosis are concerned about fertility, and it is a common question. Fertility itself is not an insurance underwriting factor. Insurers do not assess your ability to conceive. If you are undergoing fertility treatment, this is disclosed as part of your medical history, but IVF or other fertility treatments do not affect life insurance premiums.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare endometriosis on a life insurance application?
Yes, you must declare all diagnosed medical conditions. Endometriosis is well-understood by insurers and should not cause you to worry about the application. Declaring it accurately ensures your policy is valid if a claim is ever made.
I have had a hysterectomy for endometriosis. How does this affect my insurance?
A hysterectomy for endometriosis is assessed in context. If the surgery was successful and has resolved your symptoms, this can actually be positive for underwriting. Post-hysterectomy with no ongoing issues is generally viewed favourably. HRT taken after a hysterectomy at a young age is noted but does not typically affect premiums.
Does endometriosis affect critical illness cover?
Endometriosis itself is not a listed critical illness, so it does not trigger a payout. Critical illness cover is generally available alongside life insurance for people with endometriosis, typically at similar terms. The cover protects you against conditions like cancer, heart attack, and stroke regardless of your endometriosis diagnosis.
I also have anxiety related to my endometriosis. How is this assessed?
Both conditions are assessed individually and then together. Mild anxiety on stable medication has minimal impact. If the anxiety is more significant (hospitalisation, self-harm, significant time off work), this may have a greater impact on premiums than the endometriosis itself. A specialist broker can navigate both conditions to find the best terms.
Will my premiums change if my endometriosis gets worse?
No. Once your policy is in force with guaranteed premiums, those premiums are fixed regardless of how your health changes. This is a strong reason to get cover while your condition is well-managed.
Get an endometriosis life insurance quote
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