A call for national action plans for early diagnosis and management of dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis and adenomyosis in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Severe dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, and adenomyosis remain under-recognised in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, despite their effects on fertility, mental health, education, employment, and quality of life. Diagnostic delays among women of Arab ancestry exceed a decade and reflect normalisation of menstrual pain, limited awareness, delayed referral, and restricted access to specialised care. This Personal View synthesises regional epidemiological evidence, international guidelines, and national policy initiatives to identify gaps in recognition, diagnosis, management, and research. We propose a phased national action plan incorporating menstrual health education, public awareness, healthcare-professional training, structured referral pathways, specialised multidisciplinary services, national registries, and evaluation through predefined indicators. Integration of these measures into existing women's health strategies could reduce diagnostic delay and improve reproductive and psychosocial outcomes. The framework may also be adapted by other Eastern Mediterranean countries according to local needs, resources, health-system capacity, sociocultural context, and health-system priorities.
Author: Moamar Al-Jefout
Institution: United Arab Emirates University
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225793967