Noelle Menu, aged 37, started experiencing excruciating pain when she decided to conceive with her husband at the age of 26. Ceasing her long-term use of birth control triggered this newfound pain. The suffering became an overwhelming part of her life, with no relief in sight. Despite delays in diagnosis, multiple emergency room visits, a hysterectomy, and enduring lengthy waitlists for specialist care, the pain persisted, leading her to feel that her life was being destroyed.
Faced with a waiting period of three to four years to see a specialist in Canada, Menu and her husband made the difficult decision to seek private treatment at EndoGlobal in Tijuana, Mexico. The cost of this endeavor, including travel expenses, accommodation, and other fees, amounted to around $35,000. This choice reflects a trend among Canadian women grappling with endometriosis who feel let down by their country’s healthcare system.
Endometriosis, affecting one in ten women, presents a significant challenge in Canada’s healthcare system, as highlighted in a November 2025 report by the House of Commons health committee. The disorder not only causes debilitating pain but also results in a substantial economic cost of approximately $2.5 billion annually due to lost productivity.
The report underscores the role of gender bias in exacerbating these healthcare challenges. Menstrual issues are often stigmatized, leading to the dismissal of women’s pain as a normal part of their gender. Noelle Menu, a supply-chain systems adviser, had to reduce her work hours due to the pain’s severity, impacting her daily life significantly.
Endometriosis, a chronic condition where uterine-like tissue spreads to other body parts, poses a diagnostic challenge in Canada. The average time for diagnosis is around five years, with some patients enduring up to two decades before receiving a correct assessment. Moreover, accessing specialist care and surgery can entail a waiting period of up to 18 months and two years, respectively.
Dr. Jorge Zavala, a founder of EndoGlobal, noted the lack of awareness among doctors regarding endometriosis, contributing to delayed diagnoses. The complexity of the condition necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to care, involving specialists like psychologists and physiotherapists.
The House of Commons report recommended the development of a national action plan to address gaps hindering endometriosis awareness, diagnosis, and treatment. The federal government responded by committing Statistics Canada to gather data on such conditions and investing in endometriosis research.
Menu’s experience in Mexico revealed a critical health issue that could have led to an emergency situation if untreated. She expressed frustration at the lengthy wait times for specialist care in Canada, emphasizing the urgent need for improved healthcare services for endometriosis patients.
