No More Suffering in Silence

It was 7 years before I was diagnosed with endometriosis. This was in 2002 and that was the average amount of time it took in the UK. Are things any better today? Are GPs any more clued up on the symptoms and treatment of endometriosis? And how aware are the general public of the condition? How long do women struggle alone with the pain before they seek help?

On my lunch break I made this list of 7 ways I’d like to see endometriosis promoted to encourage earlier detection and greater support for sufferers:

1. Primary schools. Use the periods ‘talk’ to discuss painful symptoms and where to go for advice. If done well it needn’t give the wee girls nightmares.
2. Tampon/sanitary pad packets. If TSS can get space on tampon leaflets, then why not endometriosis?
3. Painkiller leaflets. Is it possible to include a message on instruction leaflets of the most commonly used painkillers, aimed at women who suffer painful periods?
4. Colleges and universities. Display posters in toilets of student unions and halls of residence, at a time when young women are often taking responsibility of their own bodies for the first time.
5. GPs. Distribute endometriosis symptom mouse mats as a constant reminder on every doctor’s desk.
6. Resources for partners and families of endo sufferers. Provide accessible information and advice which speaks directly to them.
7. Women’s magazines. Not just stories of celebrities who are blessed with miracle pregnancies after forking out thousands for private treatment. Give us the real story.

Are there any other endo promotion tools you’d add to my list? Or have you seen awareness of endometriosis raised in ways which you thought were particularly clever or effective?