Introduction
Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory, estrogen-depend-
ent disease characterized by the ectopic presence of endo-
metrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, predominantly
affecting pelvic organs. It impacts approximately 10% of
women of reproductive age worldwide, leading to chronic
pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, gastrointestinal dis-
turbances, fatigue, and infertility [1, 2].
Beyond its physical manifestations, endometriosis exerts
profound psychological, emotional, and socioeconomic bur-
dens. Studies have demonstrated a heightened prevalence of
anxiety, depression, social isolation, and diminished work -
force participation among affected women [3 –5]. From an
economic standpoint, the global costs associated with endo-
metriosis, including healthcare expenditures and productiv-
ity loss, are estimated to exceed billions of dollars annually
[2].
Despite its significant prevalence and impact, endome-
triosis remains poorly understood, frequently underdiag-
nosed, and underprioritized in healthcare systems. Diag-
nostic delays, averaging between seven and twelve years
* Kelnner Portela Luz
[email protected]
1 Health Education and Educational Technologies, Centro
Universitário Christus (Unichristus), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
2 Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGF), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Journal of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology (2025) 12:15
15 Page 2 of 7
from symptom onset, are commonly attributed to nonspe -
cific clinical presentations, the normalization of menstrual
pain, fragmented care pathways, and the lack of non-invasive
diagnostic biomarkers [5].
Artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learn-
ing, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP),
has emerged as a transformative force within healthcare. AI
technologies demonstrate the ability to recognize complex
patterns, predict clinical outcomes, and personalize care
strategies. In the context of endometriosis, AI holds particu-
lar promise for revolutionizing early detection, enhancing
patient education, optimizing symptom management, and
fostering patient-centered care pathways [6–8].
However, the clinical translation of AI in endometriosis
remains at an early stage, confronting numerous technical,
ethical, and sociocultural challenges. This review aims to
critically evaluate the landscape of AI-driven innovations
relevant to endometriosis care, analyze barriers to imple-
mentation, and propose a strategic framework grounded in
ethical governance, participatory design, and real-world
validation to guide future developments.
AI in reproductive and gynecological health
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have increasingly
permeated reproductive medicine and gynecology, offering
innovative solutions for diagnosis, treatment optimization,
and patient engagement.
In obstetrics, AI-driven risk stratification models have
been implemented to predict adverse outcomes, such as
preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes, ena-
bling earlier and more targeted interventions [7]. In gyneco-
logic oncology, machine learning algorithms have enhanced
the accuracy of early detection for ovarian, endometrial, and
cervical cancers by interpreting imaging studies and bio-
marker patterns with higher sensitivity than conventional
Methods
[9].
Deep learning, particularly through convolutional neural
networks (CNNs), has substantially improved diagnostic
performance in imaging modalities. Applications include
the automated identification of ovarian cysts, uterine abnor-
malities, and pelvic adhesions on ultrasound and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scans [10– 13]. In reproductive
endocrinology, AI algorithms have been utilized to predict
outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, improving
embryo selection and success rates.
Natural language processing (NLP) techniques have
facilitated the extraction of patient-reported symptoms from
unstructured clinical narratives, enhancing the detection of
underdocumented conditions, such as chronic pelvic pain
and menstrual disorders [14].
Mobile health applications powered by machine learning
have empowered users to track menstrual cycles, monitor
fertility windows, and log gynecological symptoms. How -
ever, despite the proliferation of FemTech solutions, few
platforms are specifically designed to address the complex
and heterogeneous symptomatology of endometriosis. Most
tools lack condition-specific algorithms, real-world valida-
tion, or ethical design frameworks that prioritize the needs
of women living with chronic gynecological conditions [15,
16].
Thus, although AI has demonstrated considerable prom-
ise across reproductive health domains, its targeted appli-
cation to endometriosis remains limited, highlighting a
critical opportunity for innovation tailored to this complex
condition.
Barriers to implementation in endometriosis
care
Despite the promising potential of artificial intelligence (AI)
applications in endometriosis care, several interrelated bar -
riers currently impede their clinical translation and large-
scale deployment. These barriers can be categorized into
technical, clinical, ethical and regulatory, and sociocultural
domains.
Technical barriers
The development of robust AI models depends heavily on
the availability of large, diverse, and well-annotated datasets.
However, in endometriosis research, datasets are often:
• Small and fragmented, typically derived from single
institutions or specific demographic groups;
• Heterogeneous in diagnostic criteria and outcome meas-
ures, hindering standardization and model interoperabil-
ity;
• Lacking longitudinal data, which limits predictive mod-
eling for disease progression and treatment outcomes.
Moreover, interoperability challenges among electronic
health record (EHR) systems restrict the integration of mul-
timodal datasets encompassing clinical, imaging, symptom-
tracking, and genomic information, all of which are essential
for dynamic AI-driven personalization [6, 17].
Model generalizability remains a critical concern, with
most algorithms trained and validated on homogeneous
populations. This raises significant issues regarding perfor-
mance disparities across different racial, ethnic, and socio-
economic groups.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology (2025) 12:15
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Clinical barriers
Successful clinical adoption of AI technologies requires
seamless integration into existing healthcare workflows
and alignment with clinical decision-making processes.
Key barriers include:
• Disruption of traditional workflows: AI solutions often
lack alignment with the realities of clinical practice,
resulting in poor usability and clinician resistance [18];
• Skepticism and trust deficits among clinicians: Black
box algorithms with limited explainability erode clini-
cian confidence in AI-generated outputs [19];
• Scarcity of prospective validation studies: Few AI
applications in gynecology, particularly for endome-
triosis, have undergone rigorous prospective clinical
trials, hindering evidence-based adoption into guide-
lines [20].
Additionally, the multidisciplinary nature of endome-
triosis management, encompassing gynecology, radiology,
pain medicine, mental health, and physiotherapy, neces -
sitates AI systems capable of integrating and coordinating
across specialties.
Ethical and regulatory barriers
Ethical challenges are paramount in deploying AI solu-
tions for sensitive health domains such as endometriosis.
Major concerns include:
• Privacy and data security risks: Endometriosis-related
data often involve intimate details about reproductive
and sexual health, necessitating stringent privacy pro-
tections [4 , 21];
• Algorithmic bias and inequities: AI models trained on
non-representative datasets risk perpetuating or exac-
erbating existing healthcare disparities [22];
• Opacity and accountability gaps: Without transparent
decision-making and clear accountability mechanisms,
patients may face difficulty contesting erroneous AI-
driven recommendations.
Regulatory frameworks, including the United States
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on Soft-
ware as a Medical Device (SaMD), Brazil’s Lei Geral de
Proteção de Dados (LGPD), and the European Union’s
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), mandate
transparency, consent, and post-market surveillance. How -
ever, specific regulatory pathways tailored to AI applica-
tions in gynecology remain underdeveloped [23– 25].
Sociocultural and educational barriers
Sociocultural dynamics profoundly influence the adoption
and effectiveness of digital health innovations. In the context
of endometriosis:
• The digital divide remains a significant barrier, with
women in low-resource settings having limited access to
AI-driven healthcare tools [26];
• Health literacy gaps impact the ability to interpret AI
outputs and engage with digital health technologies;
• Cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation and chronic
pelvic pain contribute to diagnostic delays and may
inhibit patient engagement with symptom-tracking tech-
nologies [27].
Furthermore, many AI applications are developed without
adequate participatory input from diverse patient popula-
tions, resulting in culturally insensitive designs, inaccessible
interfaces, and unmet user needs [16].
Comparative analysis: FemTech and AI
frameworks
The rapid expansion of FemTech, technologies focused on
women's health, has generated numerous mobile applica -
tions and digital platforms addressing menstruation, fertility,
and pregnancy management. However, a critical evaluation
reveals that relatively few FemTech solutions specifically
target the complex and heterogeneous needs of women with
endometriosis.
Table 1 presents a comparative overview of selected
FemTech platforms with relevance to gynecological health,
evaluating their primary focus, integration of artificial intel-
ligence, specificity to endometriosis, regulatory validation,
and ethical safeguards.
Key observations include:
• Most mainstream FemTech apps (e.g., Flo Health,
Sympto) focus primarily on general menstrual or fertil-
ity tracking and are not specifically tailored to the diverse
symptom profiles of endometriosis;
• Few initiatives, such as EndoMind (hypothetical),
directly target endometriosis symptom triage through
AI-driven models;
• Regulatory readiness varies significantly, with few plat-
forms achieving the certifications necessary for clinical-
grade deployment, such as FDA clearance or CE mark -
ing;
• Ethical, privacy, and data protection standards are incon-
sistently applied across platforms, raising concerns about
user data vulnerabilities.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology (2025) 12:15
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This analysis highlights the urgent need for dedicated,
ethically designed, and clinically validated AI platforms spe-
cifically addressing the fluctuating and multifactorial nature
of endometriosis.
Toward a strategic framework for AI
in endometriosis
To fully harness the transformative potential of Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in endometriosis care, it is imperative to
transition from isolated algorithmic solutions to integrated,
adaptive, and ethically governed digital health ecosystems.
Based on the current literature and critical gaps identified,
we propose a strategic framework composed of five core
pillars:
Participatory co‑design
AI solutions must be co-developed with active engagement
of women living with endometriosis, multidisciplinary clini-
cians, ethicists, and advocacy groups. Participatory design
ensures that innovations are:
• Aligned with real-world patient needs and lived experi-
ences;
• Culturally, socially, and economically sensitive;
• Usable, accessible, and empowering across diverse
user populations. Continuous involvement of end-users
throughout design, testing, and implementation phases is
essential to foster relevance, usability, and trust.
Real‑world data integration
Effective AI solutions require longitudinal, multimodal data-
sets encompassing:
• Clinical records (diagnoses, imaging, treatments);
• Patient-reported outcomes (e.g., pain diaries, quality of
life metrics);
• Data from symptom-tracking apps and wearable devices.
Integrating structured and unstructured real-world data
enables dynamic personalization, predictive modeling,
and a holistic understanding of disease trajectories.
Personalized educational modules
AI-powered educational platforms should adapt content
delivery according to:
• Literacy level;
• Cultural background;
• Health knowledge;
• Emotional readiness of the user. Through behavioral
analytics and recommendation systems, content can be
dynamically tailored to optimize patient comprehension,
self-efficacy, and therapeutic adherence.
Virtual psychosocial support
Given the significant psychosocial burden of endometriosis,
AI solutions must embed mental health support, including:
• Conversational agents delivering empathetic responses
and evidence-based coping strategies;
• Mindfulness exercises and cognitive–behavioral therapy
(CBT) modules;
• Peer support facilitation within safe, moderated digital
communities. Such features can enhance psychologi-
cal resilience, reduce isolation, and complement formal
healthcare services.
Ethical AI design
Ethical considerations must be embedded throughout the AI
lifecycle, adhering to the frameworks outlined by:
Table 1 Comparative analysis of FemTech platforms relevant to endometriosis care
*Hypothetical model based on AI-driven symptom-tracking principles
Platform/App Primary focus AI integration Specificity to endome-
triosis
Clinical/regulatory
validation
Ethical and privacy
practices
Flo health Menstrual cycle/fertility Yes (machine learning) No No FDA/CE certifica-
tion
Standard policy; potential
sensitive data risks
Clue Menstrual health Yes (predictive algo-
rithms)
Partial (menstrual
symptoms)
No FDA/CE certifica-
tion
Good practices; lacks
independent audits
Sympto Natural contraception No No No clinical validation Unclear
Endomind* Endometriosis symp-
tom triage
Yes (AI-based triage
model)
Yes (dedicated focus) Conceptual proposal Ethically designed from
inception
Natural cycles Fertility/contraception Yes (probabilistic
models)
No FDA approved Rigorous privacy policy
Journal of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology (2025) 12:15
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• World Health Organization (WHO);
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO);
• European High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intel-
ligence (EU HLEG) [4 , 5, 21]. Core ethical principles
include:
• Transparency and explainability of AI outputs;
• Ongoing bias detection and mitigation;
• Informed consent and robust data protection;
• Clear accountability mechanisms for adverse outcomes.
Building ethical AI is essential not only for compliance
but also for establishing societal trust and maximizing long-
term impact.
Expanded discussion and implications
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers unprecedented
opportunities to improve endometriosis care, its develop -
ment, deployment, and evaluation must be critically exam-
ined through ethical, regulatory, and sociocultural lenses to
ensure that innovations promote health equity rather than
exacerbate existing disparities.
Ethical priorities for AI in endometriosis
Ethical deployment of AI in sensitive health domains like
endometriosis demands strict adherence to principles of
transparency, justice, beneficence, and respect for patient
autonomy. Key ethical imperatives include:
• Transparency and Explainability: AI models must pro-
duce outputs interpretable by both clinicians and patients.
Black box algorithms compromise trust and impede
informed decision-making;
• Bias Mitigation: AI systems must undergo regular audit-
ing to detect and mitigate biases related to race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, and geography. Without deliber -
ate correction, healthcare disparities may be perpetuated
[22];
• Informed Consent and Data Governance : Patients
must maintain control over their personal data, supported
by explicit, clear, and understandable consent processes
that specify how data are used, stored, and shared;
• Accountability Mechanisms: Clear pathways must
exist to assign responsibility for AI-driven decisions and
potential adverse outcomes. Oversight structures, exter -
nal audits, and real-time monitoring can enhance system
accountability.
International frameworks, such as the WHO Guidance
on Ethics and Governance of AI for Health [5], UNESCO’s
Recommendations on the Ethics of AI [4], and the EU HLEG
Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI [21], provide essential
foundations that must guide all AI innovations in endome -
triosis care.
Bridging the Digital Divide and Future Directions
If not deliberately addressed, digital health innovations risk
amplifying existing inequities, particularly among underserved
populations.
Key strategies to bridge the digital divide include:
• Infrastructure Development: Design AI tools that are
mobile-compatible, offline-capable, and functional in low-
bandwidth environments to ensure broad accessibility;
• Cultural and Linguistic Adaptation: Develop multi-
lingual, culturally sensitive platforms that resonate with
diverse populations. Participatory design involving target
communities can surface critical contextual factors;
• Enhancing Digital Health Literacy: Implement educa-
tional initiatives aimed at empowering users to engage
meaningfully with AI-driven health tools and interpret
outputs accurately;
• Community Engagement and Trust Building: Foster
collaborations with community leaders, advocacy organi-
zations, and patient groups to enhance credibility, trust,
and uptake.
Future research directions
• Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Studies: Evalu-
ate both clinical efficacy and real-world feasibility of AI
interventions across diverse healthcare settings;
• Dynamic Consent Models : Innovate patient consent
processes to accommodate evolving AI applications and
secondary uses of health data;
• Global Health Equity Frameworks: Position endome-
triosis within broader global digital health equity initia-
tives, ensuring that innovations do not reinforce struc-
tural exclusions.
By proactively addressing these ethical and structural
challenges, AI can transition from a promising technol-
ogy to a catalyst for meaningful, sustainable, and equitable
improvements in endometriosis care.
Key recommendations for implementation
To ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) fulfills its trans-
formative potential in endometriosis care while upholding
ethical principles and advancing health equity, we propose
the following strategic recommendations:
Journal of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology (2025) 12:15
15 Page 6 of 7
1. Foster Participatory Development
• Actively engage women living with endometriosis,
multidisciplinary clinicians, developers, and advocacy
groups throughout all stages of AI development;
• Maintain continuous feedback loops to refine AI tools
based on real-world user experiences, ensuring rel-
evance, accessibility, and trust.
2. Mandate Algorithm Auditing and Explainability
• Require routine bias audits of AI models, particularly
regarding training datasets and predictive outputs;
• Prioritize the development of interpretable models
(e.g., attention-based networks, explainable decision
trees) that allow clinicians and patients to understand
and question AI recommendations.
3. Ensure Real-World Validation
• Conduct prospective, multicenter clinical trials to eval-
uate AI system performance under real-world condi-
tions;
• Integrate implementation science frameworks to assess
usability, adoption rates, sustainability, and equity
impacts alongside traditional clinical outcomes.
4. Strengthen Regulatory Oversight
• Advocate for AI-specific extensions to existing regu-
latory frameworks (e.g., FDA, EMA, ANVISA) to
address dynamic algorithm updates, transparency
requirements, and long-term risk monitoring;
• Mandate post-market surveillance and public reporting
mechanisms for AI-related adverse events.
5. Design Inclusive, Offline-Capable Platforms
• Ensure that AI tools are accessible in low-bandwidth
environments and compatible with widely available
mobile devices;
• Tailor digital interfaces and educational modules to
accommodate different literacy levels, cultural back-
grounds, and user abilities.
By systematically implementing these recommendations,
stakeholders can create a responsible and patient-centered AI
ecosystem that advances early diagnosis, personalized man-
agement, and psychosocial support for women living with
endometriosis, while safeguarding against unintended harms.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds unprecedented potential
to transform the landscape of endometriosis diagnosis,
education, and management. Through advanced pattern
recognition, predictive analytics, and personalized educa -
tional pathways, AI can address longstanding challenges
including diagnostic delays, fragmented care pathways, and
limited patient empowerment.
However, the realization of this potential is not automatic.
It requires confronting and overcoming substantial technical,
clinical, ethical, and sociocultural barriers. Without deliber-
ate attention to inclusivity, transparency, and participatory
development, AI innovations risk reinforcing—rather than
mitigating—existing inequities in endometriosis care.
Global health authorities, policymakers, researchers,
and technology developers must recognize endometriosis
as a significant public health and equity challenge within
the broader landscape of digital health innovation. Strategic
investments in ethical governance frameworks, real-world
validation studies, culturally adaptive platforms, and inclu-
sive digital infrastructures are critical.
Future research must prioritize hybrid effective-
ness–implementation studies that assess not only clinical
efficacy but also usability, sustainability, and impact across
diverse settings. Additionally, regulatory bodies must
evolve to ensure that AI-driven solutions are accountable,
explainable, and responsive to patients' rights and societal
expectations.
Harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize endometrio-
sis care is not merely a technological endeavor; it is a moral
imperative. By centering the experiences, needs, and voices
of women living with endometriosis, we can transform inno-
vation into tangible improvements in health, dignity, and
quality of life worldwide.
Author contributions Kelnner Portela Luz conceptualized and
designed the study, conducted the literature review, performed the com-
parative analysis, and drafted the manuscript. The author approved the
final version and is accountable for all aspects of the work.
Funding This study received no external funding.
Availability of data and materials Not applicable. No new datasets were
generated or analyzed for this study.
Declarations
Conflict of interest The author declares no conflicts of interest.
Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable. This manu-
script is a narrative review and does not involve human participants,
data, or material requiring ethical approval.
Consent for publication Not applicable.
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attri-
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as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source,
provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes
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