A hidden barrier to starting a family
Endometriosis affects about one in eight women worldwide and is often undiagnosed for years, leading to chronic pain and potential infertility. Delays in diagnosis can span up to a decade, during which the disease may cause damage to reproductive organs. The article calls for increased research funding and earlier detection to protect women’s fertility and family planning.
- ▪Endometriosis impacts roughly 200 million people globally and is a leading cause of infertility among women.
- ▪Women typically wait up to ten years before receiving a correct diagnosis for the condition.
- ▪Women with endometriosis are up to four times more likely to experience infertility compared with those without the disease.
- ▪The author urges greater support for research through agencies such as the National Institutes of Health to develop better diagnostics and treatments.
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Opinion>Opinions - Healthcare The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill A hidden barrier to starting a family Comments: by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), opinion contributor - 05/18/26 1:30 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), opinion contributor - 05/18/26 1:30 PM ET Comments: Link copied Getty Images Across America, millions of women dream of starting a family. For far too many, that dream is quietly threatened by a disease our healthare system has long overlooked: endometriosis, which affects at least one in eight women or nearly 200 million worldwide. The condition occurs when tissue, like the uterine lining, grows in other parts of the body, causing inflammation, pain, and damage to internal organs.
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