An increasing number of EU countries are taking comprehensive steps to address the challenge of endometriosis. Poland has joined this group, introducing a new free diagnostic and care model for patients suffering from this condition as of July. Endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating disease, significantly affects the quality of life for millions of women. During last week’s debate in the European Parliament, MEPs urged the European Commission to develop a pan-European strategy to combat endometriosis and to allocate more funding for research on the disease.
It is estimated that around 10% of women of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis, which translates to approximately 14 million women across the EU. One of the major issues is that diagnosis can take 7–10 years. During this time, patients face not only physical but also psychological, social, and professional consequences. Estimates cited during the debate in the European Parliament indicate that the annual cost of sick leave due to endometriosis alone amounts to €30 billion.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition of the reproductive organs, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, such as on the intestines, ureters, bladder wall, and, in rare cases, the liver, stomach, or lungs. Hormonal changes trigger inflammatory reactions in these areas, resulting in internal bleeding, scarring, adhesions, and the formation of nodules. These changes cause chronic pain that can severely disrupt normal daily functioning. Endometriosis can also lead to infertility, and women with this condition have an increased risk of developing ovarian, thyroid, and breast cancers.
EU Parliament Calls for Action
During the July 10 debate in the European Parliament, MEPs highlighted that for years, endometriosis was underestimated and neglected in healthcare policies. Women suffering from the disease were often told that severe pain was “normal.” This attitude is now changing. MEPs called on the European Commission to adopt a multifaceted strategy to combat endometriosis.
“Health policy is not coordinated within the European Union. Individual countries take their own initiatives, but the EU can play an aggregating, coordinating, and motivating role for member states to address the problem seriously. In Poland, we face a significant issue with limited access to specialists and low public awareness of this disease. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health has done little so far. Therefore, the signal coming from the EU should serve as a motivator for member states,” says Waldemar Buda, MEP from Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Poland’s New Model of Care
On July 1, the Polish Ministry of Health introduced a comprehensive free care model for patients with endometriosis. This new approach offers free diagnostics and treatment, including conservative therapy, surgical procedures, and postoperative care for advanced cases. Surgical treatments will be provided in specialized medical centers. Additionally, patients will have access to physiotherapy, psychological support, and dietary consultations.
For women with less advanced cases that do not require surgery, help is available at gynecological clinics, where they can undergo diagnostics and receive hormonal treatment. The Ministry also plans to expand educational initiatives for both doctors and patients to improve awareness of the condition.
“Raising awareness triggers further actions – greater demand for diagnostics, more open discussions about the disease, and pressure on policymakers to provide better funding and access for women. This is a good start, as there was virtually no discussion on this topic before,” emphasizes Buda.
Addressing Gender Inequality in Healthcare
The debate in the European Parliament made it clear that many gender-related health issues remain shrouded in stigma and silence. The lack of knowledge about endometriosis and the tendency to dismiss women’s pain have contributed to prolonged diagnostic delays and insufficient care. Both MEPs and EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Hadja Lahbib stressed that the way endometriosis has been treated over the years reflects a broader gender gap in healthcare policies. Gender differences are often overlooked in scientific research, treatment approaches, and medical care.
Examples from Other EU States
Several EU member states have already recognized the severity of this issue. In countries like Spain and Portugal, a three-day paid menstrual leave has been introduced for women suffering from endometriosis. During the debate, MEPs called for increased funding for endometriosis research, both from EU and national sources.
“We need to facilitate research procedures and develop new medical solutions to tackle diseases like endometriosis. However, the EU has limited direct funding capabilities. Most research is commercially driven. We can reduce administrative burdens and streamline procedures through agencies like the European Medicines Agency, but we cannot fully finance these studies due to competition and budget constraints. The EU simply does not have a dedicated large-scale budget for this issue. Therefore, I would recommend soft policy measures and minimizing bureaucratic barriers,” explains Buda.
