Endometriosis Awareness Month

It’s estimated that 1 in 10 women have endometriosis. 

But despite this fact, the majority of people in the UK don’t know what endometriosis is (54% of women and 74% of men).

Yet, endometriosis can have a devastating impact on a woman’s career or education, relationships, mental health, and daily life. That’s why Endometriosis Awareness Month is so important. 

So this March, we’re diving deeper into what Endometriosis is, how it impacts women’s lives and how you can support yourself if you’re struggling.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a long-term condition, which causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow in other places such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

There’s a real lack of awareness about what endometriosis is, which leads to an increased diagnosis time, currently sitting at around 7.5 years.

Symptoms of endometriosis

• Pain in your lower tummy or back
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Pain during or after sex
• Pain when peeing or pooing during your period
• Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
• Heavy periods

Some women find that endometriosis can have a huge impact on life, and this can also lead to depression or other mental health issues.

Currently, the only way to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery.

What causes endometriosis?

It’s estimated that endometriosis costs the economy £8.2 billion each year in healthcare costs and loss of work, yet lack of research means that we don’t even know what causes it.

Treatments for endometriosis 

There isn’t currently a cure for endometriosis. But there are treatments available that can help with the symptoms. The type of treatment received will depend on several factors and tends to be unique to the individual.

Treatments include:

• Hormone treatments
• Pain relief
• Surgery

Support for those living with endometriosis 

Living with a long-term, painful condition can be extremely challenging. You might experience excruciating pain at times, struggle to conceive or dread your period each month and all of this can have a huge impact on your overall wellbeing.

While there might not be a cure for Endometriosis just yet, there are things you can do to support yourself when times are tough.

Counselling support 

When going through a really difficult time, it can be helpful to have a safe space to turn to where you can share your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. Seeing a counsellor allows you to offload some of these emotions, meaning you don’t bottle up how you feel.

This release can help you make sense of any challenges you might be facing. You can discuss your options, vent your frustrations and understand yourself a little better.

Remember that if you have an Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured, you can arrange this at any time via the helpline.

Visit a support group 

Endometriosis UK has support groups across the country that you can visit. On their website, you can find your local group and the kinds of meetings and activities that they have planned.

Many of these groups also have private Facebook groups and mailing lists so you can stay connected with others who are going through the same thing.

There is also a helpline and web chat available for anyone who might be struggling with endometriosis.

Finding things that help

The pain of endometriosis can be extremely difficult to cope with at times. Many people try out different remedies till they find one that works for them. These can include:

• A hot water bottle
• A hot bath
• Ibuprofen
• Light exercise

It’s not easy living with a chronic health condition. But learning about the condition, connecting with others, and self-care can help.

Remember, if you've got an Employee Assistance with Health Assured, you can access our free 24-hour counselling and medical support line at any time. 

References

Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-awareness-month-2020-launches-tackle-fact-54-dont-know-about-endometriosis