1 in 10: Putting a Common Disease in Perspective and Looking to the Future
At Endometriosis Surgical Specialists International (ESSI), we frequently share the statistic that endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and individuals with a uterus of reproductive age. It’s a staggering number, impacting an estimated 190 million people worldwide. But what does “1 in 10” truly mean? How does this common, yet often invisible, illness compare to other diseases you hear about every day?
When you place it in context, the scale of the endometriosis epidemic becomes undeniable. The prevalence of endometriosis (10%) is remarkably similar to that of other well-known conditions affecting women:
- Asthma: Roughly 10.8% of adult women in the U.S. have asthma.
- Diagnosed Diabetes: About 9.7% of women have a diagnosis of diabetes.
- Migraine: Migraines are even more common, affecting at least 16% of women.
Unlike asthma or diabetes, however, endometriosis suffers from a profound lack of awareness and a normalization of its primary symptoms. This leads to devastating diagnostic delays and leaves millions feeling isolated. But as awareness grows, so does innovation. At ESSI, we believe it’s crucial to share not just the struggle, but also the hope. Here are a few exciting ideas and advancements that are changing the future of endometriosis care.
