One in 10 women suffer crippling illness – but it takes EIGHT years to be diagnosed

ONE in ten women suffer from the debilitating condition endometriosis.

But new figures reveal that it takes more than eight years for someone to be diagnosed with the illness, despite it being the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK.

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March marks Endometriosis Action Month, when campaigners work hard to raise awareness and advocate for change in how it is treated.

Today Pat Menzies, Scottish development coordinator for Endometriosis UK, shines a spotlight on the condition which can impact women’s everyday lives and leave them in crippling pain.

And she says it is vital that the experiences of women and girls with endometriosis are taken seriously.

MARCH is a very busy month for us here at Endometriosis UK.
This is because it is Endometriosis Action Month, a time when we
take action to raise vital awareness for the disease.

In my role, I help the charity’s volunteers and support groups in
Scotland, as well as being the dedicated Scottish point of contact for
the UK-wide campaigns.

I spend a lot of time travelling around Scotland meeting those with
a stake in improving endometriosis diagnosis and care — from patients to politicians.

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to the ones lining the uterus are found elsewhere in the body.

This can lead to inflammation, pain and formation of scar tissue.

It affects one in ten women from puberty to menopause — although
the impact may be felt for life.

That’s over 1.5million people in the UK and 176million people
worldwide.

Endometriosis symptoms can vary from one person to another.

For some, the effects may be mild, for others they can be severe
and debilitating.

Whilst not every person will suffer from every symptom, common ones include pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, pain when urinating and painful bowel movements.

Others include fatigue and people with the condition can have difficulty getting pregnant.

Many women experience period pain, but if the agony is interfering
with your everyday life, it is always best to go and see your doctor.

The disease can have a significant and sometimes devastating
impact on all parts of a person’s life.

Here at Endometriosis UK, we regularly hear real-life stories of how this condition can affect someone’s ability to go to school, progress in their career, maintain friendships, engage in romantic and sexual relationships and even have children.

Despite this, endometriosis is something that many people have
never even heard of.

Last year, the charity ran an online survey to find out the average length of time it currently takes to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

In Scotland, it now takes an average of eight years and ten months to be diagnosed with endometriosis. This is an increase of four months since the data was last collected in early 2020.

This lengthy delay in diagnosing endometriosis means patients are
waiting a long time before being able to access treatment.

During this time, the disease may progress, leading to worsening physical symptoms and even the risk of permanent organ damage.

As well as the increased diagnosis time, our survey also revealed that 78 per cent of people who later went on to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis told us that they had experienced one or more doctor telling them they were making a “fuss about nothing” and similar
comments.

For things to improve, it is vital that the experiences of women and girls with the disease are taken seriously.

On a positive note, the Scottish Government has recognised endometriosis as one of their priorities in the Women’s Health Plan.

They stated they want to “improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment”.

I sincerely hope this is a sign of significant improvements in women’s care in Scotland in the near future.

In the meantime, our Scottish Endometriosis UK Support Groups are available in Ayrshire, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Forth Valley, Glasgow and Inverness, with more being launched very soon.

And anyone can get involved this March in Endometriosis Action Month.

You could take on a challenge or host an event to raise funds as well
as awareness in your own unique way.

You could download our social media assets, including a virtual profile picture sticker, to show your support for others with the condition.

Or you could use our easy template to write to your MSP
and ask them to show their approval for improving endometriosis care in Scotland.

You could even ask your workplace to become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, to show their commitment to creating a supportive workplace for those with the disease.

– FOR more information on these actions, as well as more information
on endometriosis and the support available from Endometriosis UK,
please visit their website at endometriosis-uk.org.