Redress the historic lack of research
To redress the historical underfunding of research into endometriosis, we propose a decade of investment. This should include dedicated funding for endometriosis research.
More research could improve care and save healthcare costs
Endometriosis costs the UK economy £8.2 billion per year through treatment, healthcare costs, and the impact on work and employment. [1] More research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis would not only help the physical and mental health of those suffering, but could save NHS resources currently used for: multiple appointments where symptoms of endometriosis are not recognised, misdiagnosis and associated treatment, treatments that don’t work well and additional treatment such as mental health support due to the distress of years spent undiagnosed and inability to manage symptoms well.
Greater investment in endometriosis research can therefore improve the lives of those with endometriosis as well as save the NHS money.
Why is endometriosis under-researched?
Women’s health including menstrual health has historically been under-researched. In 2018, only 2.1% of publicly funded research in the UK went on reproductive and menstrual health , down from 4.5% in 2014. [2, 3]
As of April 2022, the UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR, founded 2006) had funded over 8,800 projects including 11 directly or indirectly addressing endometriosis. Most of these projects fall under “reproductive health and childbirth”; there is no dedicated funding available for endometriosis.
Internationally, the picture isn’t much better. A 2019 review of endometriosis research in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology said: “Despite its high prevalence and cost, endometriosis remains underfunded and underresearched, greatly limiting our understanding of the disease and slowing much-needed innovation in diagnostic and treatment options.” [4]
However, in recent years, some countries have made progress, for example the Australian government made a AUS $9.5m commitment for endometriosis research. [5]
References
- Simoens S, Dunselman G, Dirksen C, et al. The burden of endometriosis: costs and quality of life of women with endometriosis and treated in referral centres. Hum Reprod 2012;27(5):1292-9:
- UK Health Research Analysis 2018, p.33, Clinical Research Collaboration (2020)
- UK Health Research Analysis 2014, p.48, Clinical Research Collaboration (2015)
- As-Sanie et al (2019) Assessing research gaps and unmet needs in endometriosis, American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 221, Issue 2, Pages 86-94, 1 August 2019
- Funding boost for endometriosis research, Australian Department of Health, 28 May 2020
