Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002260/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomasz Froelich (ESN)
Endometriosis is a disorder that affects an estimated 200 million people worldwide and around 14 million women in Europe.
Endometriosis is associated with a range of often debilitating symptoms, including severe pelvic pain, bowel symptoms and a risk of infertility[1].
Endometriosis has a substantial economic impact, with direct healthcare costs, indirect costs related to lost productivity at work, and the financial burden of infertility treatments. Women with endometriosis need multiple medical consultations, diagnostic tests and treatments.
The cost of endometriosis-associated sick leave for the EU is estimated at EUR 30 billion annually.
Endometriosis is substantially under-represented in projects funded at EU level. Only 27 out of 145 983 projects funded in total (0.02 %) were related to endometriosis. Other non-malignant disorders received considerably more funds: 735 funded projects for depression, 410 for anxiety, etc. Gender-related autoimmune diseases received more funding than endometriosis. In addition, funding was mainly dedicated to the diagnosis of the disease, while few projects focused on treatment[2].
- 1.Does the Commission agree that the funding dedicated to endometriosis at EU level is not aligned with the enormous burden attributable to the disease in the EU?
- 2.What are the reasons for this substantial under-representation of endometriosis among projects funded at EU level?
Submitted: 4.6.2025