Welcome to our first FemTech Friday! A weekly space where we provide introductions and useful resources on topics relevant to women’s health and FemTech, which we think deserve more attention. Our first FemTech Friday is an introduction to endometriosis, a long-term condition that affects a significant number of women and currently constitutes a relevant challenge for the women’s health sector.
Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age, and symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, excruciating pain during menstruation and infertility. Endometriosis is caused by tissue lining the uterus (called the endometrium) developing outside the uterus. Symptoms can be very severe but often not very specific, which causes endometriosis to be misdiagnosed or remain undiagnosed for a long time. The average time to get a diagnosis of endometriosis is in fact 7 years. Currently, the only method for reaching a diagnosis is surgery, and there is no permanent cure for endometriosis. Existing treatments focus on relieving symptoms via surgery or hormonal therapy - however, since the root of endometriosis is not cured, symptoms may reappear.
The best strategy to improve our knowledge of endometriosis is by increasing awareness of the condition. Many women may be experiencing symptoms without knowing about endometriosis, which may further delay diagnosis and treatment. Spreading information about the key signs of the disease may help both affected people and clinicians become more acquainted with endometriosis.
Would you like to know more about endometriosis? Check out these two insightful podcasts!
Also keep an eye on new ventures that are innovating in the space:
Phendo: app to track, manage, and understand endometriosis. Phendo is part of Citizen Endo, a Columbia University research project to better understand endometriosis.
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