A Global Crisis, Not Just a Women’s Health Issue
By Jasmin Ramsey
A groundbreaking report confirms what we at the Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC) have seen firsthand for over two decades: the neglect of conditions like endometriosis isn’t just a gap in care—it’s a global health and economic crisis.
In Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap, the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute estimates that narrowing the women’s health gap could add up to $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040. Endometriosis is a central part of that equation.
Despite its impact, most OBGYN practices and hospital systems lack the specialized training, time, or surgical expertise to effectively treat endometriosis and other complex GYN conditions. At CIGC, we offer a proven alternative: expert, fertility-sparing surgical care delivered in dedicated ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Our model is designed to deliver better outcomes with lower complication rates and faster recovery times. Over the years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of women finally find relief—many after years of being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to “wait and see.”
What Is Endometriosis and Why is it Difficult to Diagnose?
More than 190 million women worldwide are estimated to live with endometriosis, a complex inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. The effects can be debilitating: chronic pelvic pain, infertility, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms that interfere with daily life. Despite its prevalence and its significant impact on quality of life and economic productivity, endometriosis remains vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated.
That’s because there is no simple test or imaging scan that can definitively confirm the condition. A diagnosis requires a minimally invasive laparoscopy performed by a gynecologic surgical specialist trained to recognize and excise endometriosis. Other procedures may also be relevant at the time, and should be carefully considered by an experienced surgeon. Instead, women are frequently misdiagnosed, told their pain is normal, or subjected to improper surgeries by generalists.
A Failing System—And a Proven Alternative
The Blueprint report identifies several drivers of this health gap, including outdated assumptions about women’s pain, underfunded research, and insufficient provider training.
One of the most persistent problems highlighted in the report is that general OBGYN training leaves women’s health physicians underprepared to diagnose or treat endometriosis effectively. Research supports this. A study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health in 2023 found that 90% of OBGYN residents reported feeling unprepared to surgically manage endometriosis, and 63% were uncomfortable with even making the diagnosis.
These training gaps have real-world consequences. According to one analysis, the average delay in diagnosis for endometriosis is at least 6 to 10 years, though could take much longer. During that time, women may suffer from pain, lost wages, reduced fertility, and unnecessary treatments—or no treatment at all. The cumulative toll on women’s lives and the economy is staggering.
These findings echo what we at CIGC have seen over two decades of specializing in advanced gynecologic surgery. For too long, women with endometriosis have been passed from doctor to doctor, enduring misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments—often for years—before finally reaching specialists like us who can provide an accurate diagnosis and a real path to relief.
At CIGC, we have been solely focused on treating complex gynecologic conditions for over 20 years. Through tens of thousands of surgeries performed at our dedicated ambulatory surgery centers, we have developed an integrated model of care that prioritizes precision surgery, optimal outcomes, fast recovery, and most importantly—listening to patients. The success of CIGC’s approach reflects many of the solutions the report alludes to, such as ensuring accurate, timely diagnosis and treatment through trained specialists, and utilizing care delivery systems designed specifically for the needs of women suffering from complex gynecologic conditions.
A Specialized Model Built for Complex GYN Care
What sets CIGC–founded by top gynecologic surgeons Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants–apart is that we do not treat endometriosis as OBGYNs. We have developed a surgical and clinical framework centered around this condition and others like it, such as fibroids, adenomyosis, and ovarian cysts. Every member of our team, from surgeons to nursing staff to patient coordinators, is trained in the nuances of managing complex GYN conditions. Our surgical outcomes demonstrate shorter recovery times, lower complication rates, and significantly improved quality of life for patients who often come to us after years of being dismissed or misdiagnosed.
The Blueprint report calls for systemic change—greater funding for research, better training, and dedicated infrastructure. But while the global health system slowly adapts, patients need answers now. CIGC’s model already embodies the future the Blueprint report envisions: patient-centered, specialist-led, data-driven, and efficient.
We believe closing the endometriosis gap starts with reimagining how and where care is delivered. For women, it means faster relief, improved fertility outcomes, and validation of their pain. For society, it means reclaiming billions in lost productivity, healthcare costs, and untapped human potential.
Endometriosis is not just a women’s issue—it’s a public health and economic issue. And it’s time we treated it like one.
Jasmin Ramsey, a women’s health advocate and former journalist, leads communications at the Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC), a premier surgical practice known for advanced, minimally invasive gynecologic care delivered with precision and compassion.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can treat your condition today.
