March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

This disease has received little attention over the years as it was under researched and not spoken about. Recent research has shown it takes around 10 years for a woman to get a diagnosis of endometriosis. Often this is because the pain and discomfort has been dismissed as hormonal or due primarily to menstruation.

In 2018, Health Minister Greg Hunt offered a formal apology to all Australian woman for not giving this public health issue the attention it has deserved leaving many women feeling helpless and hopeless. Endometriosis can be debilitating; the physical pain and discomfort associated with social and psychological impacts can leave woman depressed, their jobs in jeopardy and relationships falling apart. A study published in 2019 showed the economic burden of pelvic pain and endometriosis in Australia was around 9.7 Billion.

The lack of medical understanding has also left many women feeling unheard, misunderstood and judged. A diagnoses can only come from a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy and there are many myths surrounding endometriosis like ‘having a baby will cure it’. The quality-of-life impacts of endometriosis are considered similar to diabetes and it affects about the same number of women in Australia. But while the costs to society are considered higher for endometriosis it currently receives about 5% of the funding of diabetes through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

In this month of March 2021, there is hope as brave woman have stepped forward and spoken of their stories like Emma from the Wiggles. There is some federal funding for research projects which will help determine where help is most needed. More is always needed, especially in the form of support. Endometriosis Australia has some helpful information as well as ‘Endo Active’ talks which are available on YouTube.

If you feel you may have symptoms, seek medical help and if you feel that you have not been heard - get a second opinion.