Hot topic: The misunderstood health condition affecting millions of women

What debilitating condition affects 1.5 million women in the UK, and yet takes almost nine years on average to be diagnosed? 

A condition that – despite the numbers it affects – is so poorly recognised that it is often mistaken for something else, or written off as unimportant? 

That results in pain so bad it forces sufferers to miss work or other activities, and can cause a raft of other symptoms including bloating, nausea, as well as pain during intercourse or during bowel movements? 

It’s called endometriosis and Monday March 3 marked the start of Endometriosis Awareness Week.  

So, what is it?  

Endometriosis is an affliction that involves cells similar to the lining of the uterus – which is called the endometrium – to grow outside the uterus. 

It can often result in the ovaries and fallopian tubes getting wrapped in this endometrium-like tissue, which can impact fertility. This tissue can also affect nearby organs including the bowel and bladder. 

The tissue is sensitive to sex hormones and can become painful particularly during menstrual periods. It can also cause scars, as well as cysts on the ovaries. 

Diagnosis can be difficult. The journey typically starts with a doctor or nurse asking about symptoms – but these are often not always precise enough to point to endometriosis alone. 

Under NHS guidelines, women suffering from such pains should first be given standard painkillers like paracetamol, and hormone treatment in the form of the contraceptive pill. 

However, more precise diagnostic methods, including ultrasound examination, are often not offered – leaving women wondering if they have endometriosis or not. 

According to Endometriosis UK, the whole experience leaves many feeling “dismissed, ignored and belittled”. 

In a survey it published last year, it found that the average length of time to get a diagnosis, from first presentation of possible symptoms, was eight years and 10 months in 2023 – up from eight years in 2020. It also found that almost half of respondents had visited their GP 10 times or more with symptoms prior to diagnosis.  

For March – which is also Endometriosis Action Month – the charity’s theme is Endometriosis Explained, “exploring both how endometriosis must be better understood by the general public and better explained to patients by all healthcare practitioners”. 

It is running a free-to-join webinar on Tuesday 11th March – see here for more details: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1076