Legislators and women with endometriosis call for action in the European Parliament

Legislators, physicians and women with endometriosis from across Europe came together at a lunch seminar in the European Parliament on 28 March to calll for investment into causal research. Diana Wallis MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, who hosted the event said: "I am very pleased that today's event was so well attended not only by parliamentarians but also by representatives of the European support organisations. Endometriosis affects at least 14 million women and girls in the EU. Their suffering is not visible but the disease can leave lifelong scars". This has been formally

acknowledged by the Italian Senate, the first EU memberstate to recognise endometriosis as a social disease, which is embarking on a five year plan to improve all aspects of treatment for women with endometriosis in Italy. Said Senator Laura Bianconi:

"By taking care of women, we are safeguarding our future." Professor Thomas D'Hooghe, Chair of the Special Interest Group on Endometriosis in ESHRE, welcomes this initiative, and emphasised that: "Even within a specialist centre we do not have treatments which cure endometriosis. If we as clinicians and scientists are truly to help women get optimal treatment, significant investment is needed into causal research, so that we can work towards prevention of endometriosis for the next generation of women.

"Developing treatments that actually work will preserve these women's fertility, improve quality of life, and reduce socio-economic costs", said Professor D'Hooghe. In 2005 a Written Declaration on Endometriosis, organised by Diana Wallis in the European Parliament, attracted more signatures than on any other human health issue. Yet little action has been carried out by member states in awareness, information campaigns and causal research, which the Declaration called for.

Lone Hummelshoj, Secretary General of the World Endometriosis Society, said: “Despite the success of the 2005 Written Declaration, endometriosis is still being left behind.
"At a time where gender equality appears to be a priority, women’s health and endometriosis in particular is being neglected despite its prevalence and impact on society. It is time we start seeing investment into female specific benign, chronic diseases on the same scale as for male specific benign and chronic disease.” The World Endometriosis Research Foundation is now seeking sufficient funding to be able to address specific disease mechanisms in endometriosis leading to improved diagnostics, improved treatments, and ultimately prevention of endometriosis for the next generation of women.