March was endometriosis awareness month—a time dedicated to shedding light on a condition that affects millions yet remains largely misunderstood. While much of the conversation rightly focuses on symptoms and diagnosis, this year, we want to go a little deeper. Beyond the physical toll, endometriosis also reveals a much broader issue in medicine: the persistent gap in research and funding for women’s health. It’s not just about awareness—it’s about action, investment, and equity.
Endometriosis: The Overlooked Epidemic
Endometriosis is a condition affecting approximately 190 million females worldwide, yet it remains underfunded, under-researched, and often misdiagnosed. In case you don´t know, endo occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus, leading to severe pain, inflammation, and in some cases, infertility. Despite its significant impact on women’s health and quality of life, research and funding for endometriosis lag drastically behind other conditions with similar prevalence rates.
A Stark Contrast: The Disparity in Research and Funding
To put this into perspective, both endometriosis and diabetes affect approximately 1 in 10 people. However, the contrast in research attention and funding is staggering. In 2022, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocated approximately $16 million to endometriosis research, while diabetes research received over $1.2 billion. This discrepancy raises a crucial question: why does a condition as widespread and debilitating as endometriosis receive such minimal attention?
One argument often presented is that women’s health conditions are more complex due to hormonal fluctuations, making them more difficult to study. However, this reasoning quickly falls apart when considering that diabetes is a condition fundamentally linked to insulin, itself a hormone. If the scientific community has been able to develop a comprehensive understanding of insulin regulation, why has similar progress not been made in understanding estrogen’s role in conditions like endometriosis? The answer lies not in complexity, but in prioritization.
Historically, medical research has centered on male bodies, with women’s health conditions relegated to the sidelines. Endometriosis was once referred to as the "career woman's disease" implying that it was a psychosomatic consequence of delaying childbirth rather than a legitimate medical condition. Even today, many women wait years—sometimes over a decade—for an accurate diagnosis. This delay is exacerbated by the normalization of menstrual pain and the general underestimation of women’s pain tolerance, leading to dismissals and misdiagnoses.
A Glimmer of Hope: Women’s Health Under the Investor Lens
The tide, however, is beginning to shift. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that addressing women’s health issues is not only a moral imperative but also an economic opportunity. A recent report by McKinsey & Company estimates that closing the women’s health gap could add $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040. This recognition has led to growing investment in women’s health startups, diagnostic innovations, and non-hormonal treatment options for conditions like endometriosis.
This shift, though long overdue, presents an opportunity to change the trajectory of endometriosis care. Investors and policymakers are beginning to recognize that the women’s health sector has been overlooked for too long and that addressing these gaps can drive economic growth. It is somewhat ironic that women's health is being seen as an exciting new investment frontier—as if its importance is only now being discovered. Nonetheless, the increased attention and funding are crucial steps forward.
Taking Control: Advocating for Your Health
While systemic change is on the horizon, people with endometriosis must continue to advocate for themselves. Here are some ways to take charge of your health:
- Track Your Symptoms: Keeping a detailed log of your symptoms, pain levels, triggers, and menstrual cycle patterns can help validate your experiences when seeking medical care.
- Speak with Confidence: When discussing symptoms with healthcare providers, be direct and assertive. Pain tolerance studies suggest that women often endure more pelvic and uterine pain than they perceive, leading to underreporting.
- Explore Comfort Options: Managing endometriosis often means dealing with heavy menstrual flows. Revol Cares' ultra-heavy flow leak-proof underwear, specifically the Charlie Boxer Brief, provides all-day protection without the need for additional menstrual products like cups, which can sometimes exacerbate cramping.
Endometriosis may have been historically overlooked, but the narrative is shifting. Continued advocacy, research funding, and investment in innovative solutions will be essential to closing the gap in women’s healthcare. Until then, self-advocacy and community support remain powerful tools in ensuring that those affected by endometriosis receive the care they deserve.
The New Wave:
Here are some (mostly female-founded) businesses you can keep your eye on—and support—as they lead the charge in changing the narrative around endometriosis diagnosis and treatment. These innovators are proving that progress is possible when we prioritize women’s health:
Hera Biotech – USA
Developing MetriDx, a non-surgical test to diagnose and stage endometriosis using endometrial cell analysis.
DotLab – USA
Creator of DotEndo, a blood test that uses biomarkers to detect active endometriosis non-invasively.
Afynia – Canada
Spun out from McMaster University, Afynia is developing EndomiR, a microRNA-based blood test for diagnosis.
FimmCyte – Canada
Working on the first non-hormonal therapy for endometriosis, targeting those who can’t tolerate current treatments.
Ziwig – France
Developed a saliva-based diagnostic test aiming to reduce the diagnostic delay from years to days.
NextGen Jane – USA
Building the Smart Tampon System to detect endometriosis markers in menstrual blood.
