Women’s health goes beyond menopause. It includes conditions unique to women, conditions that affect women disproportionately, and diseases that present differently in women. Together, they remain among healthcare’s greatest unmet needs.
The MZ Medical Research Initiative begins with a focus on endometriosis—a condition affecting around 190 million women worldwide and one of the most neglected diseases in women’s health.
Endometriosis is far more than chronic pelvic pain. It disrupts education, careers, fertility, mental health and everyday life, while years of diagnostic delay allow the disease and its consequences to accumulate.
Its impact extends well beyond healthcare. Most of the economic burden comes not from medical treatment, but from lost productivity—women missing work, working while in pain, or leaving employment altogether. Earlier diagnosis, better evidence and more coordinated care have the potential to improve women’s lives while reducing the long-term burden on healthcare systems, employers and society.
Menopause affects nearly every woman, yet its impact extends far beyond health. It influences quality of life, career progression, workplace productivity, and long-term economic participation. As more women remain in the workforce during midlife, menopause has become both a public health and an economic challenge.
Research shows that menopause can lead to persistent reductions in employment and earnings, with income falling by around 10% within four years of a menopause-related diagnosis. Many women reduce their working hours, miss career opportunities, or leave employment altogether, while appropriate menopause care can lessen these effects.
MZ Medical Research aims to generate evidence that improves earlier recognition, diagnosis and care across the menopause journey. By combining clinical expertise with data-driven research, we seek to support better healthcare, healthier workplaces, and innovation that improves the lives of women worldwide.
