Let’s talk about the condition affecting 1 in 10 women

Endometriosis (pronounced en-duh-mee-tree-ow-suhs) is a long-term chronic health condition that affects the female reproductive organs.

This health condition is surprisingly common, with a staggering 1 in 10 women in the UK suffering from it. It is often considered a medical mystery, perplexing both doctors and researchers for decades.

What does endometriosis do to your body?

Put simply, endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus.

For women with endometriosis, this tissue could be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or other pelvic organs. This endometrial tissue can cause inflammation, pain, and in severe cases, scarring and adhesions that can sadly interfere with fertility.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?



It may be the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK but there is a huge stigma around the condition.

One of the reasons why this chronic disease is so often misunderstood by women and medical professionals alike is due to the nature of the symptoms. Many assume these symptoms are part and parcel of being a woman and having a menstrual cycle but this isn’t the case. Overall, the symptoms for endometriosis can vary, but may include:

• Pelvic pain
• Heavy periods
• Painful periods
• Fatigue
• Pain during or after sex
• Infertility
• Painful bladder and bowel movements

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK says, “Symptoms can have a major, life-long impact, physically and mentally. But far too many find their symptoms are not believed nor taken seriously.”

“Myths such as “chronic period pain is normal” or “you must have a low pain threshold” manifesting in society, workplaces, schools, and even healthcare settings contribute to those experiencing symptoms being put off from seeking medical advice and contribute to diagnosis taking on average a shocking 8 years.”

Why has no one heard about it?

Despite endometriosis being one of the most common gynaecological disorders, affecting roughly 190 million women worldwide, so many people have never even heard of it, let alone fully understand its debilitating effects.



In a recent survey conducted by Endometriosis UK, just over 18% of those asked said that they had never heard of endometriosis.

With the symptoms ranging from chronic pain to infertility, endometriosis has a profound impact on the lives of those who suffer from it, making it a critical issue that demands greater attention and awareness.

Why more needs to be done about this chronic condition

Looking at Endometriosis UK’s recent research, they found that 62% of women (aged 16-54) would put off going to a doctor with symptoms of endometriosis because:

• They don’t think it’s serious enough to bother their GP
• They’d be embarrassed
• Don’t think they’d be taken seriously
• Or they think the symptoms including painful periods are normal

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK says, “Endometriosis is a long-term chronic health condition affecting 1.5 million in the UK, yet it is still all too often considered a taboo or not important due to links with the menstrual cycle.”

There are so many misconceptions about endometriosis. Not only do people not understand the severity of the condition but so many women assume the pain is something they should learn to cope with - this is not the case and is the reason why we need to break the stigma.

How is endometriosis diagnosed and why does it take so long?

It takes, on average, 8 years from the onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis - a scary statistic but it’s sadly a reality for so many women.

The one definitive way of finding out if you have endometriosis is a laparoscopy. This is an operation where, under general anaesthetic, a little camera is inserted into your pelvic area through a small cut, near the navel area.

During this procedure, the surgeon will use the camera to take a look around at your pelvic organs to have a look for signs of endometriosis. If any endometriosis is spotted, they may attempt to remove some of the scar tissue and afterwards they will explain their findings.

Emma Cox explains why this condition should not stay undiagnosed, “The impact of delayed diagnosis on people’s physical and mental health can’t be overstated. If undiagnosed, the disease may progress, and negatively impact people’s careers, education, relationships and all aspects of their life.”

There is no cure but…

Although the cause for endometriosis is unknown and there is still no definite cure for the condition, a diagnosis can make all the difference.

As a woman with endometriosis, you’re likely to have suffered in silence for a long time. But by knowing exactly what you’re dealing with, it can enable you to:

• Understand what endometriosis treatment options are available to you and choose to receive the appropriate treatment for you and your circumstances
• Gain confidence; once you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you can start to come to terms with your symptoms and diagnosis
• Make informed choices regarding your fertility (endometriosis doubles the risk of infertility in under 35’s)
• Inform your workplace, so that they can be mindful of your condition. Depending on where you work, they can help take measures to ensure your comfort 
• Lessen your impact on the NHS. Without a diagnosis, you may have been taking a lot of trips to your GP and potentially having unnecessary treatments
  
  

Your life insurance policy could help

When you take out a life insurance policy, many of the UK’s leading providers include free additional benefits with your cover.* One of the free benefits that many of these insurers offer is access to free 24/7 online GP appointments.

You can have your appointment from the comfort of your own home with a UK-based GP. If they suspect you have endometriosis, they could even provide you with a pre diagnosis so that if/when you go to your own GP, it could help you with getting a diagnosis faster.

The condition can also heavily impact your mental health. Looking at a recent clinical study, depression was detected within 86% of those with endometriosis who have chronic pelvic pain.

Another benefit you may be able to access with your life insurance policy is free mental health support, including therapy sessions. If you have recently been diagnosed with endometriosis and you’re struggling mentally, reaching out for support is so important.

Action not awareness

March is Endometriosis awareness month. But this year, Endometriosis UK have flipped the narrative and are calling for action, not just awareness.

The fight against endometriosis has begun but there is still so much work to be done. Raising awareness is important but so is taking action, if you want to make a difference this endometriosis action month, then why not try:

• Having conversations with friends and family about the condition
• If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis and if you feel comfortable talking about it, be vocal with your employer (you never know, they might be super understanding)
• Support and believe the women in your life, if they tell you they are suffering with endometriosis
• Write a letter to your local MP and invite them to take action, in March and beyond
• Raise funds by joining one of Endometriosis UK’s events or you can simply donate to the charity
• Participate in Endometriosis UK’s diagnosis survey, to help them find out how long it takes to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK
• If you have endometriosis and you are in a position where you feel comfortable enough in your journey, then please share your story. This can help raise awareness and help others with the condition to feel less alone.
  
  

Lastly, whether you have endometriosis, you know someone who has it or even if you’d never heard of it until today - change needs to happen. Let’s break the stigma. 

* Free benefits are not contractual and may be removed at any time