Endometriosis Costs Canadians $1.8 Billion Annually & Impacts Finances
Endometriosis costs Canadian society an estimated $1.8 billion annually, a financial burden compounded by the significant direct and indirect costs faced by individuals living with the condition. While Quebec’s public healthcare system and some medications offer coverage, many patients still face substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
“There are generic treatments covered by health insurance, but as soon as those stop working and you need more specialized treatments, like elagolix, which isn’t yet covered, it’s $250 a month,” explains Joël*, a transgender man who experiences endometriosis. The financial strain extends beyond medication. “What helped me the most was osteopathy and that was $125 per session,” recalls Stéphanie Chagnon, who considers herself fortunate to have received hospital care for another health issue, which meant she incurred no costs for endometriosis-related treatment.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus – the endometrium – grows outside of the uterus, often on other organs. This tissue responds to hormonal changes, causing bleeding, inflammation, and chronic pain. The pain experienced isn’t limited to menstruation and can significantly impact quality of life.
Dr. Matthew Leonardi, a gynecologic surgeon and ultrasound specialist at McMaster University Medical Centre in Ontario, views endometriosis not merely as a gynecological disease, but as a systemic illness affecting the entire body and mental health. This broader understanding highlights the complex nature of the condition and the need for comprehensive care.
However, many complementary therapies, which patients often turn to for relief, are not covered by Quebec’s public health insurance plan (RAMQ), creating a significant financial barrier. Allison Reynaud, whose private insurance covered only a small portion of alternative treatments, describes the situation: “I haven’t calculated exactly how much it cost me, but it’s clear that all my disposable income went towards it.” Physiotherapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, and yoga are frequently sought after, with patients often feeling “desperate enough to try anything.”
Long wait times within the Canadian healthcare system are driving some individuals to seek treatment abroad. A Radio-Canada investigation in June 2024 revealed that one woman’s medical trip to Romania, including travel and care, cost between $22,000 and $25,000. Another paid $50,000 for similar treatment in Atlanta, USA.
A 2011 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada estimated the average cost of endometriosis per patient per year in Canada to be $5,200. However, direct medical expenses account for only 22% of this total, with approximately 80% stemming from indirect costs such as absenteeism from work.
The impact of endometriosis extends to career trajectories. A 2023 report by EndoAct Canada found that individuals with the condition lose an average of eleven hours of work per week. These lost wages, combined with career stagnation due to repeated absences, have long-term financial consequences. Some women are forced to leave their jobs altogether.
Tiffany Clovin explained her decision to resign: “Quitting my job wasn’t necessarily the best thing to do. But I really felt an urgency to focus on my health.” She was able to do so because of savings, a privilege not available to all. Stéphanie Chagnon was forced to abandon her physically demanding job as a plasterer. She now earns $900 bi-weekly, a significant decrease from her previous $50,000 annual income, shifting the financial burden to her partner and eroding her financial independence.
François Castonguay, an assistant professor and health policy researcher at the University of Montreal, emphasizes the difficulty in quantifying the full impact of chronic illnesses like endometriosis. “Measuring the costs, the loss of well-being that these diseases can have on people’s mental and physical health is extremely difficult.”