Half of countries lack endometriosis care policies

Nearly half of countries lack national policies or clinical guidance for endometriosis care, a new global review has revealed.

Endometriosis affects about one in ten women and girls worldwide. Across 194 WHO member states, researchers found striking disparities in care.

More than a quarter of countries have no publicly available clinical recommendations, and only 7 per cent have government-endorsed care guidelines.

In many places, the only guidance comes from informal sources such as advocacy sites or social media, leading to inconsistent care.

Europe had the widest guideline availability, while many low- and middle-income countries had little or none.

Devon Evans, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, said: “Our findings show that many people living with this chronic condition are navigating care in regions where no official recommendations exist.”

A companion analysis reported that half of all countries had no policy information available.

Ninety-six countries recognised endometriosis as a national problem, 48 put it on the political agenda, and 12 adopted policies for a national strategy.

Notable examples include national action plans in Australia and France that are being implemented and evaluated.

Tatjana Gibbons if from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health.

Gibbons: “Despite increasing awareness of endometriosis, addressing the challenges faced by those living with the condition requires coordinated national strategies developed in collaboration with policymakers, advocates and patients themselves, to reduce its global burden.”

The authors called for governments, medical societies and patient groups to collaborate on clear, region-specific care standards to cut diagnostic delays, improve quality of life and ensure equitable access to treatment.

An accompanying editorial urged a shift “from awareness to action”, with WHO noting the condition’s physical, mental and socioeconomic impact and the need to demonstrate that policies and guidelines translate into real-world improvements.