Hospital Treatments for Women Due to Endometriosis Have Significantly Increased in Germany Over the Past Ten Years - Endometriosis hospitalisations surge 50% in Germany over a decade

New health data from Germany reveals significant shifts in women's medical trends over the past decade. Hospital stays for conditions like endometriosis have surged, while admissions for uterine fibroids and prolapse have dropped. Meanwhile, life expectancy for women remains higher than for men, with cardiovascular disease and cancer still leading causes of death and hospitalisation in 2024.

Hospitalisations for endometriosis rose sharply between 2014 and 2024. In 2024, around 37,700 women were treated for the condition, a 50.1% increase from 25,100 in 2014. The vast majority—91.1%—were aged 20 to 49, consistent with the typical age range for diagnosis. Experts suggest the rise may stem from better awareness and earlier detection rather than a higher number of cases. Media coverage, telemedicine expansion after COVID-19, and demographic changes like delayed motherhood could all play a role. However, no data shows a shift in the average age of patients over the last five years.

Endometriosis often begins in adolescence but is frequently diagnosed later, between 30 and 40. Meanwhile, hospital stays for uterine fibroids fell by 26.6% in the same period. Admissions for uterine prolapse also declined, dropping by 4.6%.

In 2024, women's average life expectancy reached 83.5 years, compared to 78.9 years for men. Health officials attribute this gap to differences in lifestyle and risk behaviours. Cardiovascular diseases remained the top reason for women's hospital stays, accounting for 12.8% of cases. Cancer followed as the second leading cause of death, responsible for 21.1% of fatalities.

The data highlights a mixed picture of women's health in Germany. While hospitalisations for endometriosis have climbed, likely due to improved diagnosis, other gynaecological conditions like fibroids and prolapse are less common. Cardiovascular disease and cancer continue to dominate as major health concerns, shaping both hospital admissions and mortality rates for women.