Sunday 1st March marks the start of Endometriosis Awareness Month, a month dedicated to bringing more awareness and change for the 1 in 10 women affected by the disease.
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. This causes inflammation and severe pain. According to Endometriosis UK, there are an estimated 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth living with the condition in the UK.
Symptoms range from person to person, but endometriosis is most commonly associated with painful periods, heavy menstrual bleeding and chronic fatigue.
Although endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, it takes on average 8 years 10 months from the first GP visit to get a diagnosis.
Having been treated for suspected endometriosis myself, I know the challenges that come with the disease, and the battle it is to get a diagnosis. In preparation for Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026, I spoke to some girls in Merseyside that have been to the GP about their periods and have suspected/diagnosed endometriosis. After posting a TikTok asking for people to come forward, I was met with an overwhelming amount of responses.
“I can’t remember the last day I felt normal”
Madison, 21, is a masters student at University of Liverpool. She is still waiting for a laparoscopy after being ‘urgently’ referred to the waiting list in September 2024.
Madison had her first appointment about debilitating periods when she was 16 during lockdown, and was told by doctors there was not much they could do. After going back two years later, she was offered the contraceptive pill which did not relieve the pain.
She said: “(The pain) meant that I struggled to get out of bed. I was told I would have a follow up appointment within three months, but I waited almost nine.”
She continued: “It took me threatening to complain to the patient advice team for me to be given an appointment.”
Madison said she could not remember the last day she was not in pain, which makes her worry about life post graduation this summer when trying to find a full time job.
As well as the physical symptoms, Madison shared how she suffers in other ways. The pain has restricted her from learning how to drive and attend university lectures.
Madison is still waiting for results to confirm she has the condition from an ultrasound she had in November. As a result of not having any professional clarity, she has to spend her own money on pain relief remedies, like heated blankets and a tens machine.
Endometriosis UK, the UK’s leading endometriosis charity, are calling for people to write to their local MP to ask them to attend their events for Awareness Week 2026. The link to do this can be found here.
“They said it was normal to have bad periods”
Mia, 19, has been diagnosed with Adenomyosis, the ‘sister disease’ to Endometriosis. She is awaiting further diagnosis to confirm endometriosis.
She shared how she went to her GP continuously for over three years before seeing a different doctor that ‘luckily’ took her pain more seriously. Mia was told that painful periods were expected when they first started – despite her suffering for over six years.
Mia said: “I was given two options to relieve the pain, the pill or the Mirena coil. I wasn’t given any information about side effects or possible dangers of taking either medication.”
She also shared how she struggles to find girls her age with the condition, which sometimes feels quite isolating.
Endometriosis Awareness Month strives to encourage more girls to come forward and speak to their GP if they suffer with bad periods.
“Have you considered having children in the next 10 years?”
When Ella, 22, saw her gynaecologist about suspected endometriosis, she was asked about her future plans to start a family.
She said: “I was 19 at the time and it hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
Ella shared how she was put on the pill at 15 to relieve her symptoms with no further tests, which worked for around two years. They then started to become debilitating to the point she could not leave the house. She was offered Zoladex an injection that induces a temporary menopause. Doctors told her the symptoms from this could possibly be better than the symptoms of endometriosis.
Ella said Endometriosis Awareness Month is vital to spreading awareness and changing how the disease is diagnosed and treated.
These stories are just three out of millions that showcase why Endometriosis Awareness Month is a vital campaign to increase understanding of the disease.
Liv, the founder of the University of Liverpool Women’s Health Advocacy Society shared she wanted to create the group after realising so many people struggled with bad periods and thought they were normal. She wants the society and Endometriosis Awareness Month to push for a change to be made.
The group are holding multiple events across March for anyone to attend. You can visit their Instagram here.
If you are struggling with bad periods, you can contact your GP, or visit the Endometriosis UK’s website for their further support.
