Canary Islands University Hospital to Launch Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Unit

The University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC) is launching a new multidisciplinary unit dedicated to endometriosis, marking a significant shift in how the condition is managed across the islands. This initiative aims to improve care for the more than 12,100 women affected by the disease by moving beyond standard gynecological treatment. Instead, it will integrate psychology, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation into a single, standardized care protocol.

Led by the hospital’s Benign Gynecology department, the project is currently in the final stages of coordination. The medical team expects to finalize these new care pathways after the summer, with the unit set to be fully operational by the end of September. This move toward a structured, comprehensive model is designed to better address a chronic condition that causes endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus, leading to symptoms like persistent pelvic pain and fertility issues.

Ahead of the official launch, the hospital has started offering educational workshops for patients. A recent session, led by the Pain Unit, focused on anti-inflammatory nutrition and stress management. The advice encourages a diet based on scientific evidence, emphasizing fresh produce, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil.

Clinically, nutrition is intended to complement medical treatment by helping to control systemic inflammation. Specialists recommend an adapted Mediterranean diet—rich in omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish and antioxidants from berries and cruciferous vegetables—while advising patients to avoid ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive red meat. Doctors stress that there is no "one-size-fits-all" diet, and personalization is essential to help manage fatigue, bloating, and pain.

The new HUC unit will also prioritize emotional well-being and physical activity as core parts of treatment. By moving away from a focus solely on surgery or medication, the hospital aims to adopt a holistic approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social impacts of endometriosis—a structure that has been missing from the Canary Islands' public health system until now.