A shocking new report has revealed that women who suffer from endometriosis are being failed in the UK due to a lack of funding which is hampering our understanding of an extremely common reproductive condition.
Endometriosis is an ongoing condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age (most cases are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40). That's two million in the UK alone. The chronic disorder occurs when womb lining grows outside of the uterus and can be found in the ovaries and fallopian tubes, abdomen, bowel and even the bladder.
Although symptoms can vary from woman to woman, common symptoms can include painful periods, persistent fatigue, bladder complaints and, in severe cases, infertility.
And yet despite the high numbers of women affected by endometriosis, a new study conducted by Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Scienceshas revealed that too many women are being let down by insufficient funding and research into the condition, it's symptoms and the treatment needed.
Researchers found that women are suffering due to treatments that fail and painful side effects that are worsening women's lives. Not only this, the condition currently takes an average of seven and a half years to be diagnosed.
“We heard from these women that it is so hard to get a diagnosis, but even when you get one your battle is not done," Researcher Dr Annalise Weckesser told The Independent. "It’s about trying a merry-go-round of different treatments.”
These women have a desperation and willingness to try anything to see if it would work despite each available treatment having a host of side effects,” she added.
The report, which analysed 14 different women's experiences, also looked at attitudes towards women's pain and menstrual health - and whether we take either seriously enough.
“There is a long history of not taking menstrual pain seriously and even writing it off as women’s hysteria. We don’t talk about menstrual health, young girls' knowledge about menstrual health is poor,” she told the paper.