A Historic Step Forward for Endometriosis & Women’s Health Research

So often the news for endometriosis sufferers feels frustrating and overwhelming. It can appear as if there is nothing happening and that there is no light or hope. But there are so many people fighting behind the scenes for YOU. People who care, people who have shared your experience and are determined to make a difference.

As I have done in the past, I want to offer women (& the people who LOVE them) hope and share some GOOD news!

Progress is being made.

That is coming in the form of new legislation and donated funds, its coming in the form of research breakthroughs and it sometimes comes in the form of women & men who show how much they care and stand with you. All of that points to hope!

Please see below some of the exciting breakthroughs we are seeing in the area of women’s health, and in endometriosis care. And please…Keep raising your voices! The collective voices of men & women make a huge difference for ALL.

1. A New Federal Definition of Endometriosis

For the first time in U.S. history, federal appropriations report language recognizes endometriosis as a chronic, systemic, inflammatory, multi‑organ disease — not simply a reproductive condition.¹

This shift reflects what women and researchers have known for years: endometriosis impacts far more than pelvic organs. It affects immune function, inflammation pathways, the nervous system, gastrointestinal health, and overall systemic wellbeing. By recognizing endometriosis as a systemic inflammatory condition, Congress has opened the door to broader research approaches and more comprehensive care models.

2. Federal Budget Prioritizes Women’s Health Research

The FY 2026 Labor‑HHS appropriations bill — which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health agencies — reinforces growing congressional attention to women’s health research.²

Increased attention to women’s health research infrastructure, along with supportive report language for endometriosis, signals meaningful progress toward correcting decades of underinvestment in conditions that affect millions of women.

3. Continued Advocacy Through Federal Legislation

The bipartisan Endometriosis CARE Act seeks to expand federal research funding, improve public awareness, study disparities in diagnosis and treatment, and strengthen care pathways for women living with endometriosis.³

While additional legislative steps remain, the continued introduction and support of this bill demonstrates that lawmakers are listening.

Why This Matters

For decades, endometriosis was narrowly categorized in ways that limited research and policy priorities. Recognizing it as a chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple organ systems represents a fundamental shift in understanding — and a powerful step toward earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and long‑term solutions.

At Our Daughters Foundation, this progress is deeply personal. We know the cost of delayed diagnosis, inadequate insurance coverage, and fragmented care. These developments on Capitol Hill are signs that change is possible — and that advocacy matters.

Sources & Footnotes

1. FY 2026 Federal Appropriations Report Language on Endometriosis.

2. FY 2026 Labor‑HHS Appropriations Bill (NIH Funding Framework).

3. Endometriosis CARE Act – Congress.gov (H.R. 6682).