Global Push Reframes Endometriosis as a Health, Equity Priority

Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, is gaining renewed attention from global health organizations and investors calling for greater awareness, funding, and equitable access to care. Despite its prevalence, endometriosis remains underdiagnosed and underfunded, with social, economic, and public health consequences that extend far beyond the individual.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged public and private sectors to collaborate in addressing the disease through effective policy and prevention strategies. The call comes as endometriosis continues to disrupt the quality of life, productivity, and mental health of millions of women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to diagnosis and treatment is limited.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, often on pelvic organs such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. The misplaced tissue reacts to hormonal changes, causing inflammation, pain, and in many cases, infertility. In Mexico, an estimated 35% of women experience the condition, according to the National Academy of Medicine, yet awareness remains low and diagnosis is often delayed for years.

Globally, diagnostic delays average between seven and ten years, according to The Lancet. These delays are longer in low-resource settings due to limited access to specialized equipment and trained professionals. The consequences are wide-ranging: chronic pain, reduced productivity, absenteeism, and increased healthcare costs. Research also shows that women with endometriosis are up to three times more likely to develop certain types of ovarian cancer, such as clear cell carcinoma.

International institutions are beginning to respond to the lack of investment in women’s health. In August 2025, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a US$2.5 billion commitment through 2030 to accelerate research and development in women’s health, targeting more than 40 innovations across five underfunded areas. These include gynecological and menstrual health, maternal care, and contraceptive innovation, fields where conditions like endometriosis have long been overlooked.

“Investing in women’s health yields intergenerational returns, from healthier families to stronger economies,” says Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative calls for partnerships with governments, the private sector, and philanthropy to close funding gaps and scale innovation.

Economic data supports this approach. Studies suggest that closing the gender health gap could add up to US$1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040, while every dollar invested in women’s health generates an estimated US$3 in economic growth.

The socioeconomic impact of reproductive health conditions is already visible in Mexico’s workforce. A 2025 report by Dalia Empower, Plenna, and Essity found that 55% of working women miss work due to menstrual discomfort, and 35% experience salary deductions linked to absences during menstruation. For women with endometriosis, these symptoms can be severe enough to cause monthly incapacitation. Despite this, only four Mexican states grant menstrual leave, and most policies are limited to the public sector.

Greater recognition of menstrual and reproductive health at the workplace could help reduce absenteeism and support gender parity in employment. Mexico’s female labor participation rate, at 40%, remains below the OECD average of 67%. Business and policy experts argue that supporting menstrual health through flexible schedules, awareness campaigns, or health coverage would increase productivity and inclusion.

Scientific and technological advances are also reshaping how the condition is addressed. Research into non-invasive biomarkers, targeted drug delivery, and radiopharmaceuticals such as 99mTc-maraciclatide is improving diagnostic accuracy. However, these innovations remain costly and largely inaccessible in LMICs, highlights The Lancet, where late diagnosis often limits the effectiveness of new therapies.

Innovation in women’s health is also emerging through technology. The growing field of “femtech,” or female-focused health technology, is expanding access to diagnosis and education through digital platforms, writes Pascaline Leon, Head, Business France Mexico. In France, for example, femtech startups collaborate with public hospitals to create tools for menstrual health, fertility, and menopause. 

Globally, experts are emphasizing that medical progress must be matched by equitable implementation. The Lancet notes that disparities in access persist even as new therapies advance, with diagnosis relying on technologies unavailable in many parts of the world. The WHO calls for multidisciplinary and culturally sensitive approaches that combine medical, social, and economic perspectives to ensure comprehensive care.

As new funding and innovation enter the field, endometriosis is being reframed not only as a biomedical challenge but as a global health and equity issue. Addressing it will require coordinated action among governments, research institutions, and private stakeholders to ensure that progress in science and technology translates into tangible improvements in women’s health and participation in the workforce.