A student campaigning for egg freezing treatment for people with endometriosis to be NHS funded says she is more determined than ever to get her petition debated in parliament after a 'disappointing' response from the government.

Rhiannon Hurll from Yalding set up the petition to raise awareness for the often crippling condition she has been living with for eight years and to transform the fertility prospects for millions across the UK.

In a number of days, more than 22,000 supporters backed the biomedical science student from the University of Kent with the total number of signatures now reaching 37,200.

Having surpassed the number of signatures needed for the government to respond, the Department of Health and Social Care replied to Miss Hurll saying it is 'very sympathetic to women who are struggling to conceive due to endometriosis' and is urging people to take part in its Women's Health Strategy.

It hopes to gather women’s experiences and views regarding their health and care through an online survey to better improve services in the future.

While she is pleased the government has taken notice, Miss Hurll feels the answer has missed out vital points.

The 20-year-old said: "It has quoted the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines regarding fertility with endometriosis, but the links they have supplied alongside it don’t cover egg freezing.

"I may be being too harsh but I feel they tried to sidetrack the whole point of the petition, egg freezing, by promoting their current Women's Health Strategy.

"I understand why they are doing the strategy because that is important and I have also taken part, but it doesn't focus on egg freezing treatments and that's ultimately what this is about.

"I did feel quite disappointed. It just made me think I really need to get this to parliament now because their answer hasn't changed anything."

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people in the UK. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

It can be incredibly painful and up to 50% of those with the condition will experience infertility problems as a result.

According to the Royal College of Nursing, around 1.5 million people in the UK experience endometriosis which can take more than seven years to diagnose - by which time starting a family might prove to be a struggle.

Egg freezing procedures currently cost around £6,000.

Miss Hurll, a former Maidstone Grammar School for Girls pupil who has undergone five operations to resolve the gynaecological disorder, started a drive to secure the NHS funding to give those living with the condition more options later in life.

As well as raising awareness, Miss Hurll also hopes to become a clinical embryologist to help couples get pregnant when she graduates.

In the response, The Department of Health and Social care said: "The level of provision of local health services available to patients, including fertility treatment, is a matter for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), who have a statutory responsibility to commission healthcare services that meet the needs of their whole population.

"Where NICE guidance does not make specific recommendations on a particular topic, such as egg-freezing for women undergoing treatment for endometriosis, it does not mean that it cannot be funded by the NHS, and local commissioners should make individual decisions based on an assessment of the evidence.

"Unfortunately, damaging taboos and stigmas remain around many areas of women’s health, including gynaecological concerns, which can prevent women from starting conversations about their health or seeking support.

"We absolutely must change this and that is why we are embarking on the first government-led women’s health strategy for England."

The 12 week call for evidence will run until May 30.

The responses will be considered as part of its work to develop the strategy and care going forward.

To take part in the survey, click here.

To sign the petition and read the government's full response, click here.

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