Endometriosis is a disease that affects around 1.5 million women in the UK and is as common as diabetes and asthma, yet so many people still do not know what it is! So, let’s talk about it.
If you have never heard of the condition, you are not alone. Research shows that 54% of people, rising to 74% of men, are not familiar with what endometriosis actually is, and despite the fact that it affects 1 in 10 women with a uterus, awareness is still surprisingly low.
Endometriosis is a condition where the cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body, affecting areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the bowel. This can lead to chronic pain and cause symptoms that impact daily life in very real and often debilitating ways.
For many people, getting a diagnosis can take years, with symptoms frequently overlooked or dismissed, and as a result of this, endometriosis is still widely misunderstood and not always taken seriously. Some even believe that it is not a real condition!
Why is endometriosis so often dismissed?
Symptoms of endometriosis happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed, but cannot leave your body. These can include: severe period pain, heavy periods, pain in the lower stomach and back (pelvic area), pain during or after sex, fatigue, and many more. However, these symptoms can often be associated with bad periods, and so they are often dismissed.
As well as this, period pain is often treated as something we should just put up with, and from a very young age, many women are told to view this discomfort as normal rather than something that might require medical attention.
As someone with endometriosis, this association needs to stop! Yes, period cramps happen and can cause major discomfort, but if your pain is so severe that you are missing lectures, being physically unwell, or unable to function normally, this pain can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
For many, the reality of endometriosis can bring years of uncertainty before receiving answers, which is infuriating considering it can affect education, work, relationships, and overall quality of life in ways that are often not visible to others.
Frustration is something that I have personally experienced during my time with endometriosis, and making other women feel seen who are experiencing the same pain is something I care so deeply about.
This is why awareness matters, because without it, people continue to be dismissed, symptoms continue to be overlooked, and those affected are left feeling isolated in something that is actually far more common than people realize.
It is also so important to recognise that support is available. Organisations like Endometriosis UK offer support groups across the country, as well as online spaces where people can share their experiences, access reliable information, and connect with others who understand what it’s really like to live with endometriosis.
A sense of community is so valuable and can make a huge difference to those who feel alone in their experiences. I know that talking to other women about their experiences and even being able to rant is so fulfilling. Coming together is also a big step towards endometriosis being recognised across the medical and government sectors, as more research and support should go towards those of us struggling with this disease.
If you think something might not be right, it is important to trust yourself and take your symptoms seriously. Whether that means speaking to a GP, tracking your symptoms, or reaching out for support, everyone deserves to be heard.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to start having these conversations more openly. Not in a dismissive or casual way, but by recognising endometriosis for what it is: a very real, life-changing condition that affects women all over the world and deserves to be taken seriously.