Endometriosis Action Month 2025
Endometriosis UK - the UK’s leading charity offering support for those with endometriosis is calling on all UK Governments to:
- ensure that menstrual health education is being delivered as a compulsory part of the curriculum in all schools, and that teachers have the training and resources they need to deliver it confidently and age appropriately. Too many young people are leaving school not knowing what is and isn’t normal for an average period, nor the signs of a menstrual health condition such as endometriosis. This is leading to young people missing school and education and impacting on the start of their careers.
- ensure that every healthcare practitioner receives effective education on menstrual health conditions including endometriosis, so that every healthcare practitioner recognises the signs and symptoms of endometriosis and follows the NICE Guideline on Endometriosis that sets a baseline of how endometriosis should be diagnosed, managed and treated.
Endometriosis Explained
Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life, from all races and ethnicities.
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue. Full definition here.
The classic endometriosis symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant – up to 70% of those with endometriosis will be able to get pregnant naturally
- Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms
Emma Cox, CEO for Endometriosis UK says: “The simple fact is that not enough people know what endometriosis is. Such a common and often debilitating disease deserves the same level of recognition as conditions like diabetes and asthma. A recent poll for Endometriosis UK has found that only 50% of 16 – 24-year-olds know what the condition is and 47% of people surveyed last year reported seeing a GP 10 or more times before being diagnosed. Not getting a diagnosis can have a significantly negative effect on every aspect of someone’s life - including education, employment, and physical as well as mental health. Governments must ensure that all young people and healthcare practitioners receive the appropriate level of education and recognise the signs and symptoms of endometriosis, so those with symptoms can seek help, and are supported to access care when they do.
We hope Governments across the UK will build on their commitments to support women’s health, including ensuring menstrual health education is being properly delivered across all schools, as well as improvements in mandatory training for all health professionals, as a matter of priority.
Without this, the next generation of those with endometriosis will continue to be let down.”
