G-Club
October 19th, 2026
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The network of patients fighting endometriosis Training, schools and early diagnosis: the association's budget for Volunteer Day.

The network of patients fighting endometriosis Training, schools and early diagnosis: the association's budget for Volunteer Day.
On the occasion of World Volunteer Day on December 5, 2026, A.P.E. (Endometriosis Project Association), a reality built entirely by patients, draws up the balance of two decades of activity. Born from the direct experience of women, the association transforms its path with the disease into information, training and support to bridge the delays in the health system.

Endometriosis in Italy, numbers and symptoms

Endometriosis affects about 3 million women in Italy and 10% of the female population of childbearing age in the world. The most common symptoms are severe menstrual pain and ovulation pain, recurrent cystitis, intestinal irregularity, heaviness in the lower abdomen, pain during sexual intercourse and infertility in 35% of cases. Since there are still no definitive treatments or medical prevention paths, the diagnostic delay is between 5 and 8 years, reaching up to 12 if the disease occurs in adolescence. This also generates a social cost estimated by the Ministry of Health at more than 4 billion euros per year for lost working days alone.
 
The network of patients fighting endometriosis Training, schools and early diagnosis: the association's budget for Volunteer Day.

The work of the A.P.E. is developed on three main pillars:
  • Training of healthcare personnel: also funded thanks to the 5X1000, it saw the creation of 15 highly specialized courses from 2017 to 2025 (including editions of Surgery & Ultrasound in Deep Endometriosis at Gemelli in Rome, ultrasound courses in Parma and Rome, modules on integrated treatment at Negrar di Valpolicella and courses for radiologists and psychologists). In total, more than 340 professionals were trained, supported by volunteers to combine technical expertise, listening and empathy.
  • Education in schools: through the ComprenDendo project, interactive lessons curated by experts and volunteers have reached 350 schools and more than 25,000 students, teaching them to recognize the signs of illness early.
  • Widespread awareness: the association organized about 1,600 meetings, distributed 1.5 million flyers, promoted the 12th edition of Conscious Showcases in 2026 and the Flowers of Awareness campaign in about 40 cities. The activity extends to local support groups and online information, where president Annalisa Frassineti draws attention to the importance of verifying sources to ensure correct disclosure.
The network of patients fighting endometriosis Training, schools and early diagnosis: the association's budget for Volunteer Day.
The association also operates in terms of regulatory and social protection. Currently, the inclusion of endometriosis in LEA guarantees ticket exemption for biannual visits and ultrasound only for the most advanced stages (III and IV stages) and subject to histological confirmation. In the absence of a centralized National Register and with civil disability tables considered inadequate, the A.P.E. asks for legislation to protect absences from work due to disability. Among the goals achieved, it should be noted that, since March 2024, some Dienogest-based drugs (first-line progestogen therapies for pain) have fallen into Band A under the responsibility of the National Health Service, while the commitment to extend reimbursement to other therapeutic options remains open.

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