Endometriosis – also known as endo – is a health condition affecting millions of women around the world. The research for endo is extremely underfunded
Endometriosis – underdiagnosed and underfunded
Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrium, the tissue that grows in the uterus before being expelled each month during menstruation, spread to other nearby organs. It causes chronic pain and infertility, and it is estimated that between 10% and 15% of women suffer from it globally.
Endometriosis is a debilitating conditions, bringing extreme pain to those that suffer from it, impacting their relationships, their work life and their mental well-being. The numbers aren’t good either: around 190 million of women deal with endometriosis and its consequences everyday, but research hasn’t reached the level it needs to improve their lives.
Even the process of diagnosis remains difficult: it takes around 7 to 9 years to receive an official diagnosis . This delay can worsen the condition as the disease progresses, causing increased pain, new symptoms, and deteriorating mental health.
This situation is worsened by the historical underfunding of the endometriosis research. This lack of attention causes a cycle of limited awareness and inadequate treatment options for those affected.
Even major bodies such as the European Commission seems to not value endometriosis research as it should. The volume of funding provided by the EC for this disease is known to be little by researchers.. You can support the World Endometriosis Research Foundation with a donation, helping their cause facilitating research into endometriosis to improve knowledge and treatment.
The underinvestment in endometriosis research reflects the low level of attention given to women’s health issues in general, further fueling the stigma surrounding these conditions.
A step forward in Italy
While endometriosis has long been overlooked, hope for better treatment is on the horizon. Thanks to the ENDO2023 project—launched in June 2025—a major breakthrough is coming. With EUR 8.5 million in funding from the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), this project aims to develop a non-invasive test for early diagnosis of endometriosis. This project will be structured as a collaboration between three Italian Institutes: UniCamillus University, Eurofins Genoma, the host institution, and the University of Turin. The extensive experience in the field of endometriosis that these institutes – and their associates – have, will be crucial to the development of the project.
Over the course of the next five years, this project is expected to lead to two major developments: faster, more accessible diagnoses for patients and significant reductions in healthcare costs, benefiting the entire public system. This project might be the light at the end of the tunnel for women suffering everyday from endometriosis, who not only deal with pain but also face the challenge of being dismissed when speaking about their health issues.
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