A charity that supports and advocates for women with endometriosis is urging women with chronic pain symptoms to visit their GP
In a survey of 2,000 UK respondents to mark Endometriosis Action Month, Endometriosis UK, who conducted the research said three in four women and those assigned female at birth would put off seeking help.
Other findings included more than a fifth would worry doctors might not take the symptoms seriously, many would feel uncomfortable talking about their periods and menstrual health with family, friends, colleagues, or medics.
Among those who said they would put off going to see a doctor in this situation, 24 percent said it was because they considered painful periods to be a normal part of life, while 23 percent said they would think it was “not serious enough to bother a doctor with”.
Chronic pelvic pain and painful periods that interfere with your everyday life can be symptoms of endometriosis. This common, sometimes debilitating but often-ignored disease affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth and can impact all areas of life including mental health, career, and relationships.
Common symptoms include chronic pelvic pain; painful periods; pain during or after sex; painful bowel movements, pain when urinating, fatigue; and difficulty getting pregnant.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “If you’re experiencing chronic pelvic pain or other symptoms of endometriosis, talk to your GP.
“In the past, endometriosis symptoms may have been shrugged off as ‘normal’ or ‘not serious’ – these myths are slowly but surely being eradicated, although there is still a long way to go.
“Keeping a pain and symptoms diary can help when speaking to your GP, helping them understand what you’re experiencing and supporting a diagnosis.
“These findings must be a wake-up call for society as a whole, including Governments and the NHS: we cannot continue to ignore and normalise the sometimes-debilitating symptoms of endometriosis, and the impact of this disease and other menstrual health conditions. With an average time to diagnosis of eight years, urgent action is needed to ensure all those affected by endometriosis have a prompt diagnosis and access to the right care.”
Endometriosis UK’s new data shows that just 49 percent of the public is aware that endometriosis is a gynaecological health condition – a figure which drops to just 31 percent of men.
The data also shows that half (51%) of women and those assigned female at birth would feel comfortable talking about periods with their parents or guardians.
According to the charity, it currently takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK; without a diagnosis, treatments can’t be accessed and the disease may progress.
While the taboo around menstrual health, and a lack of awareness of endometriosis, may contribute to this, Endometriosis UK believes that it is essential that NHS and Governments take action to ensure that healthcare practitioners recognise the symptoms, and that pathways and services are improved.
An increasing number of individuals, organisations and employers are being proactive about talking about the impact of endometriosis or supporting those with the disease – including through Endometriosis UK’s Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme.
To find out more about Endometriosis UK, click here.
Endometriosis explained, by Mr James Nicopoullos
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