Women’s Health Upstarts Tackle Endometriosis Care

Shining a spotlight on women’s health, startups are zeroing in on endometriosis care.

The Silent Crisis

Around 190M individuals around the world suffer from endometriosis, a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and as a result, causes severe pain in the pelvic region.

Despite its prevalence, it takes an average of seven years to get diagnosed and is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or dismissed as exaggerated period pain.

Care conundrum. There is currently no known cure for endometriosis, so treatment is usually centred around managing symptoms. But its significant physical and mental burden on females around the globe suggests it’s not enough.

• Endometriosis costs the UK £8.2B a year in treatment, loss of work and healthcare.
• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders are more prevalent in those with endometriosis.
• 40% of women with endometriosis worry about losing their job, and one in six women with endometriosis give up work entirely.

Testing, testing. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are key for both health and economic progress, and some startups are addressing the gaps where healthcare won’t.

• This summer, British femtech startup Daye launched a service expediting diagnosis of what’s causing their period pain, including diseases such as endometriosis.
• French biotech company Ziwig received validation for the first saliva-based test for endometriosis diagnosis in July.
• Australian AI-powered ultrasound system IMAGENDO helps significantly reduce the time it takes to diagnose endometriosis

On a larger scale, scientists from University College London released a set of clinical guidelines for comprehensive management of endometriosis to support clinicians around the globe.

Elsewhere, EndoGene.Bio is exploring epigenetics for precision diagnosis and treatments, while Syrona Health wants more employers to address treatment as an employee benefit.

Looking ahead: The momentum must continue if we’re to make notable progress in tackling the endometriosis crisis. Diagnostics are crucial, but with chronic pain for so many still lingering, both destigmitisation and solutions for care must be advanced quickly.