Abstract:

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease affecting approximately 190 million individuals worldwide. Many people living with endometriosis struggle with daily pelvic pain, menstrual pain and infertility, resulting in high rates of work and school absenteeism and often a reduced quality of life. Despite the prevalence and impact endometriosis can have on individuals’ lives, it is a disease burdened by systemic barriers, including the stigmatisation of menstrual diseases, lack of awareness and lack of supporting frameworks. This presentation will outline projects conducted as part of a thesis aiming to assess the health gaps in the frameworks for endometriosis and provide novel approaches to bridging these gaps. The primary project to be discussed is an attempt to address a crucial gap within our non-invasive diagnostic framework with a Phase 2 trial investigating a novel imaging marker for endometriosis and associated angiogenesis. Subsequently, the presentation will discuss two additional projects. The first explored a key clinical uncertainty with regard to understanding the ranking of endometriosis treatments for endometriosis-associated pain. Finally, a project that mapped the global landscape for endometriosis policy and the overarching frameworks that exist to make measurable improvements to our endometriosis population near and far.