Event raises awareness of endometriosis

Photo: Fitchett's Photography

Endometriosis Awareness North Charity was developed by Dr Anita Sharma

Scores of people affected by endometriosis recently attended an awareness session by the Endometriosis Awareness North charity, created by a Rochdale GP.

Dr Anita Sharma founded the charity to raise awareness, promote education of professionals, empower women with knowledge so that they do not suffer in silence.

Endometriosis is a condition that blights the lives of 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, plus many more of older age.

Women with the condition and their families listened to the stories of those who have suffered with endometriosis, including charity ambassador Courtney Ormrod and her father Paul Ormrod, and Lucy Bowker.

Dr Sharma said: “There is enough evidence that even though women live longer than men, they live in poor health. Over three-quarters of women feel the health care service has not listened to them.

“The health and wellbeing of women is critical to the wellbeing of the society as a whole and while women make up 51% of the population, the health and care system has neglected their health.”

The event was supported by Dr Andrew Pickersgill, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, specialist in endometriosis.

He said: “The care must be offered through a managed clinical network of community, specialists and secondary care services with a range of multidisciplinary team so that right care can be provided.”

Women experiencing any of the six P’s are advised to see their GP: painful, heavy or irregular periods; pelvic pains; pain when passing urine; pain when opening bowels; pains during or after sexual intercourse; difficulty getting pregnant.