Endometriosis Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about endometriosis, a chronic and often painful condition affecting millions of women worldwide. This month focuses on educating the public about the symptoms, treatments, and the impact of endometriosis on daily life. By increasing understanding and support, we can help those affected by this condition lead better lives. 

Endometriosis is a condition which affects up to 10% of women and those assigned female at birth. It causes the tissue that forms on the lining of the uterus to grow elsewhere within the pelvic region. In rare cases, the tissue can even grow beyond the pelvic region. 

As is typical through the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes cause this tissue to grow and break down; however, as the tissue is outside of the uterus, there is nowhere for it to go, and it becomes trapped, and these lesions can cause pain and inflammation.

When endometriosis is suspected, you will be referred to gynaecologists and they may carry out scans, blood tests and internal investigations. When diagnosed, the endometriosis will be giving a staging from 1 to 4 which reflects its severity. 

What does the Action Month wish to achieve? 

One of the most challenging aspects of endometriosis is the pace of a woman being diagnosed and treated for her endometriosis. This is because, since the pandemic, diagnosis can almost take up to a year to be diagnosed as per a report conducted by the Endometriosis UK in 2024.  

Endometriosis UK are raising awareness to help provide knowledge to those who do not know what symptoms are linked to Endometriosis and how to be able to speak to health care professionals to be able to assist with diagnosing the symptoms as soon as possible.  

Throughout the action awareness month, there are webinars available to those who want to find out more about endometriosis. These include the following: 

• 14th March: Getting the most out of your GP appointments: Free Webinar with Dr Anne Connolly GP
  

• 27th March: Endometriosis & Fertility Q&A: Free Webinar with Dr Sujata Gupta, Consultant Gynaecologist
  

• 28th March: Virtual Panel Event for Wales in Partnership with FTWW Chaired by Huw Irranca-Davies MS
  

What are the symptoms of Endometriosis? 

Unfortunately, symptoms are common to those of other conditions, and it is important when you visit your doctors to list as many of your ongoing symptoms because the only definitive way of diagnosing endometriosis is by way of a laparoscopy (an operation in which a camera (a laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel). 

The main symptoms linked to endometriosis are as follows: 

• Pelvic pain 

• Painful periods that interfere with your day-to-day life 

• Pain during or after sex 

• Pain when urinating 

• Painful bowel movements 

• Difficulty getting pregnant
  

If you think you may have a claim? 

Although Endometriosis can be challenging to diagnose, it is by no means impossible and medical professionals should be alive to symptoms of Endometriosis and arrange investigations when it is suspected. You may have a claim for clinical negligence concerning endometriosis if there has been an unreasonable delay in diagnosis and treatment. 

Our clinical negligence team has experience of successfully pursuing claims for delayed diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, including claims for impaired fertility and when there has been progression of the endometriosis, causing damage to other organs such as the bladder or bowel. 

If you think that there may have been a negligent delay with diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, please contact our team to discuss how we may be able to help.