Helping Practitioners & Industry Help those with Endometriosis*

Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease afflicting nearly 176 million women and girls worldwide (twice the number of Alzheimer's patients and seven times those with Parkinson's).  The illness is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for nearly half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States annually.  It is more prevalent than breast cancer, yet continues to be treated as an insignificant, obscure ailment.  Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers in women with Endometriosis. The average delay in diagnosis is a startling 9 years, and a woman will go through as many as 5 physicians before she is properly diagnosed and treated.

Even in this age of medical advances, Endometriosis remains a conundrum to patients and practitioners alike.  The disease can only be diagnosed definitively through invasive surgery, and while there are several theories, researchers remain unsure as to the definitive cause of Endometriosis.  The disease knows no racial or socio-economic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause.  Once touted as mythical treatments, we know that "pregnancy", “menopause” and "hysterectomy" are far from curative, nor is the gamut of medical suppressives often suggested to patients.  Gold standard surgery, wherein all disease is truly removed from all locations, is difficult to obtain and often, patients are subjected to lesser, superficial surgical removal with a very high recurrence rate.  The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family or attend work, school or social functions.  Endometriosis affects every aspect of a woman's life, from her self-esteem to her relationships to her ability to be a contributing member of society.

The ERC is an established 501(c)3 tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization founded by Executive Director Michelle E. Marvel in early 1997 to address the growing International need for Endometriosis research, education, awareness and support.  The ERC is unique in that unlike similar organizations, there is no fee to join, participate in or benefit from our programs.  We have been leading the way in industry collaboration since our founding, and have been instrumental in several crucial and landmark research breakthroughs and product developments.

Endometriosis can indeed be life-altering.  Our organization can help you, the reproductive industry professional, by providing you with our authoritative, accurate information and access to our many networks.  We welcome all collaborative requests for practitioner and industry support.  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of your patients, so contact us today at Heather@Endocenter.org.  We look forward to working with you!

Physicians:  Be sure and check out our Adopt-a-Doc program today! http://www.endocenter.org/adoptadoctor.htm

*Note:  Unlike similar Endometriosis organizations, inclusion on our Medical & Professional Advisory Board cannot be purchased.  It is by invitation only at the discretion of the ERC Executive Board of Directors and the ERC Operations Committee.  If you are interested in supporting our mission by being considering for the Advisory Board or would like to make a similar contribution of your time and expertise, we welcome your contact at Heather@endocenter.org.