Endometriosis affects approximately 830,000 Australians — roughly 1 in 9 women, girls, and people with uteruses. Despite this prevalence, average time to diagnosis in Australia remains approximately 6.5 years, during which many people are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their pain is "just period pain." Endometriosis is the leading cause of infertility and a significant driver of reduced quality of life, work absence, and healthcare utilisation. Grant funding supports research into causes and treatments, diagnostic improvements, support services, and the advocacy that has been essential in putting endometriosis on the national health agenda.
Scale
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic structures. This tissue responds to hormonal cycles, causing:
- Pelvic pain (often severe, often cyclical)
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
- Painful sex (dyspareunia)
- Painful bowel movements or urination
- Fatigue
- Infertility (affects approximately 40% of those with endometriosis)
The diagnostic delay
The average diagnostic delay of 6.5 years is one of the defining injustices of endometriosis care:
- Pain dismissed as "normal" period pain
- Young people not taken seriously
- Multiple GP consultations before referral
- Laparoscopy (surgical diagnosis) required for definitive diagnosis
- Lack of clinician education
Mental health impact
Chronic pain and diagnostic delay have severe mental health consequences:
- Depression and anxiety significantly elevated in endometriosis
- The psychological toll of being dismissed and not believed
- Impact on relationships, sexual function, and self-image
- Endometriosis-related trauma
Department of Health
National Action Plan for Endometriosis — launched 2018, updated with significant investment:
- Research grants
- Specialist endometriosis clinics (public)
- GP education and awareness
- Awareness campaigns (EndoAus and #AskAboutEndo)
NHMRC
Research grants for endometriosis biology and treatment.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
Significant endometriosis research investment — one of MRFF's specific investment areas.
MBS
Medicare funding for laparoscopy, hormonal treatment, and specialist consultations.
Endometriosis Australia
National endometriosis advocacy and research organisation:
- Research grants
- Education programmes (GPs, community)
- Patient resources
- Fundraising for research
EndoActive
Sydney-based advocacy and community support.
Australian Endometriosis Research Foundation
Research grants and biobanking.
The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Women's health research and education including endometriosis.
Various women's health foundations
University women's health research centres.
Research
Diagnostic improvement
Specialist endometriosis clinics
Pain management
Fertility support
Adolescent endometriosis
Awareness and advocacy
Workplace and education support
One of the most important clinical and advocacy issues in endometriosis:
- Ablation/cauterisation: superficial burning of endometriosis — faster, less skilled, but higher recurrence
- Excision: complete surgical removal — evidence shows significantly better long-term outcomes
- Advocacy for patient access to excision surgery (and skilled excision surgeons) is a key funder priority
The 6.5 year diagnostic delay
This is the headline injustice — 6.5 years of dismissed pain before diagnosis. Applications that reduce this (GP education, awareness campaigns, better diagnostic tools) directly address the core problem.
MRFF alignment
The Australian Government has specifically prioritised endometriosis in MRFF funding rounds — applications aligned with National Action Plan priorities are well-positioned.
Adolescents
Starting the diagnostic delay clock early in adolescence is particularly damaging. Applications addressing endometriosis in schools and primary care for young people are high-impact.
Multidisciplinary care
The evidence for multidisciplinary endometriosis clinics (surgery + pain + psychology + physiotherapy) is strong — applications building or evaluating this model are compelling.
Tahua's grants management platform supports women's health funders and endometriosis organisations — with research grant tracking, patient support programme management, clinical outcome data, and the reporting tools that help endometriosis funders demonstrate their investment in reducing pain, improving diagnosis, and better lives for Australians with endometriosis.