Endometriosis Awareness Month: The period to talk about women's health

Endometriosis is a scary sounding word. I hadn’t even heard of it until I googled ‘Why are my periods so painful?’, as so many women and girls do.

The fact of the matter is that periods are not meant to be painful, not to the extent of vomiting whilst having diarrhoea from the pain (I know, I’ve been there). And endometriosis is one of the main reasons that could be causing this pain - something that we should be taught in school right alongside the fact that periods shouldn’t feel like death. But alas, we are not, and now is the time to learn.

Endometriosis is a disease that causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow outside of the uterus, in places such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Although I myself do not suffer from endometriosis, it affects one in ten women in the UK, according to the National Institute of Care and Health Excellence, which is equivalent to 1.5 million women - a similar statistic to the number of women affected by diabetes.

According to the NHS website, these are the signs to look out for:

• pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period
• period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
• pain during or after sex
• pain when peeing or pooing during your period
• feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period
• difficulty getting pregnant
• heavy periods.
• can lead to depression

It is a long term issue that, as of yet, cannot be cured despite affecting so many. However, there are treatments to mitigate the impact of endometriosis. The NHS website lists painkillers and hormonal contraceptives as the top treatments, but surgery is also an option. There has also been research surrounding diet and lifestyle changes to help prevent flare-ups in pain and manage the symptoms of endometriosis. Support groups are also available, such as Endometriosis UK, which has a directory of local support groups, a helpline on 0808 808 2227, webchat, and an online community on HealthUnlocked.

The help is out there, and thankfully women’s health is becoming more and more talked about. Endometriosis Awareness Month should be an opportunity for all of us to recognise and learn about what could be going wrong with our bodies - and that, actually, if our periods are painful, this is more than enough reason to see your doctor.