The month of March brings about Endometriosis Action Month, formerly known as the ‘awareness’ month, but as the UK’s leading charity for Endometriosis, Endometriosis UK point out, ‘awareness only goes so far and what people with Endometriosis need and deserve is tangible action and positive changes to improve care and support.’

NHS explanation of the condition

Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.

Endometriosis is often found in areas around the womb, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis.

It also sometimes affects organs, such as the bladder and bowel. Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed during your period but cannot leave your body.

It can have a big impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help.

Unfortunately for many sufferers the average diagnosis time is still between 7-12 years

Endometriosis was a word I hadn’t heard of when I was diagnosed as a 17 year old nearly 18 years ago, having struggled with unbearable pelvic pain and heavy periods for a few years.

Today, 62% of women aged 16-24 and 75% of men of all ages have still not heard of endometriosis.

A recent response from the UK Government to an inquiry into Women’s Reproductive Health Conditions’ promised better education in schools for teachers and pupils to identify what normal periods are, advice on how to seek medical help and prioritising overcoming taboos regarding talking about menstrual health. They also aim to deliver on ensuring that women are listened to and can access information and healthcare services whilst tackling long waiting lists within the NHS, which impact people’s long term physical and mental health.

I was lucky enough to have a knowledgeable GP who quickly referred me for treatment with one of the experts in Endometriosis, Mr Andrew Pickersgill at Wythenshawe Hospital. Unfortunately for many sufferers the average diagnosis time is still between 7-12 years resulting in a cost to the UK of £8.2bn in loss of work, medical treatments and healthcare costs.

Symptoms

Pelvic pain can be minimal to severe but often worsening during periods, enough to stop normal activities

Heavy periods

Pain when going to the bathroom

Fatigue

Pain during sex

Back, leg and chest pain

Bloating and abdominal pain

"Listen to your body and advocate for yourself - endometriosis is often misunderstood, but your pain is real."

Misconceptions

That severe period pain is normal and something to just ‘live with’; societal and cultural views have often reinforced this but periods should not stop you from living a normal life.

That endometriosis is a form of cancer. It is not infectious nor contagious and is not classed as a cancer. Although it is important to note that if you think you have symptoms of cancer you must see a GP.

Endometriosis pain can vary between women and many may not know they have endometriosis until they seek help for infertility or trouble conceiving. You do not have to have severe pain to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

Pregnancy is not a ‘cure’ for endometriosis. Many women do experience fewer endometriosis symptoms during pregnancy due to a change in hormones but it is likely these will return following pregnancy without further treatment.

A worry for many women is that they may not be able to have children. Although endometriosis can make this more difficult, with treatment and medical advice many women have successful pregnancies…me being one of them!

A really important misconception is that you won’t be listened to by medical professionals, this can be a barrier to accessing treatment as women are worried they’ll be ‘fobbed off’. They are there to help you and you can advocate for yourself and your own health, if you feel you need another opinion ask to see another GP.

2025 03 18 Endo Action Month Hannah Barron — **Hannah Barron** Image: @adeptmedicalaesthetics / Instagram

One in ten women and girls of reproductive age have Endometriosis (similar to the number diagnosed with Diabetes) and the prevalence of endometriosis with women experiencing infertility is around 50%. Diagnosis and treatment is key to alleviating the long term effects of endometriosis on individual women and society as a whole.

Referral from your GP to a Gynaecologist specialising in Endometriosis is the first step to diagnosis and in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire region we have excellent Specialist Endometriosis Centres. Visit BSGE.org.uk to find your nearest centre. You’ll be able to access teams including Gynaecologists, General Surgeons, Urologists, Radiologists, Pain Management teams and Specialist Nurses.

Diagnosis of endometriosis can be done by Ultrasound and MRI but the gold standard is for Laparoscopy to be performed (a surgical procedure using thin lighted tubes to examine the organs). This is usually combined with surgery to remove the endometriosis.

There is no cure for Endometriosis however medical and surgical intervention can considerably improve your pain and quality of life. I personally have had several surgeries for Endometriosis and have found a holistic approach to my symptoms has helped significantly alongside these.

I first saw Nikki Hill, a Clinical Nutritionist and Women’s Hormone expert around 10 years ago who helped formulate a natural approach to hormone balancing alongside my traditional medical treatments. Her therapeutic products and nutritional advice I still use today to maintain a healthy lifestyle and help with symptom management.

2025 03 18 Endo Action Month Nikki Hill — **Nikki Hill** Image: @nikkihillapothecary / Instagram

“Listen to your body and advocate for yourself—endometriosis is often misunderstood, but your pain is real. Seek a specialist, explore all treatment options (not just surgery or meds), and prioritize rest, nutrition, and stress management. There are many resources, treatments and support networks out there - you're not alone in this journey”

- Nikki Hill, @nikkihillapothecary

Chronic pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms of endometriosis and many women don’t want to or can’t take painkillers on a daily basis. I found acupuncture helps significantly with my pain management and I believe regular acupuncture was a significant support to me getting pregnant. Gabby Lampugh, a Clinical Acupuncturist specialising in Fertility and Pregnancy explains some of the benefits of acupuncture and its role in Endometriosis.

“Endometriosis is a challenging condition which often rears its head when a woman is trying to conceive. In the majority of cases that I see in my clinic, the symptoms have been masked for years by the pill. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, endometriosis is linked to a stagnation of blood and qi (vital energy). Whilst it is not possible to remove endometriosis with acupuncture, only surgery could do that, the symptoms can be greatly alleviated allowing the patient to feel calmer and more optimistic on the journey to becoming a mother.”

- Gabby Lampugh, @pink_lotus_acupuncture

2025 03 18 Endo Action Month Gabby Lampugh — **Gabby Lampugh** Image: @pink_lotus_acupuncture / Instagram

I really believe in being an advocate for your own health and finding a healthy diet which alleviates inflammation in the body and gentle exercise such as walking and Pilates is extremely beneficial in improving my symptoms. Symptom management is nuanced and what may work for one person may not work for another. It is important to find what works best for you and fits into your everyday life.

Local support groups are available through Endometriosis UK and they also offer helplines and online support. Self Management courses can also be accessed through your GP to help people live with chronic conditions. These courses include approaches to healthy lifestyles, the emotional side of living with chronic conditions and how to live with chronic pain.

With greater research into Endometriosis better treatments will become available. A new daily pill is soon to become available on the NHS which works by blocking specific hormones which contribute to endometriosis whilst replacing necessary hormones. This medication, which can be taken at home, will mean women can avoid lengthy hospital appointments, giving women greater control over their own health and reducing pressures on the NHS.

Since I was diagnosed as a teenager I have seen attitudes towards Endometriosis change greatly, meaning awareness is more widespread and the condition is not as taboo as it once was. Medical treatment has improved drastically as Endometriosis becomes more researched and understood.

I hope as people continue to campaign for women with Endometriosis that one day we will see a significant improvement in endometriosis treatment or even a cure one day in the near future.

Some helpful links for further information

The Guardian article on new daily pill: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/13/first-of-a-kind-daily-pill-for-endometriosis-treatment-approved-for-nhs-in-england

Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org

NHS explanation of condition: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/

Diet and lifestyle: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/diet-and-lifestyle

British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy: https://www.bsge.org.uk

(Main image credit: Wikimedia creative commons)

The Charity Shopping Trend: Who pays the price?

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2025

Get the latest news to your inbox

Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!