Heywood walk raises awareness of endometriosis

Walkers from across Rochdale risked biting crisp weather to band together and pound around a park in Heywood to support women with endometriosis.

Affecting one-in-ten females of childbearing age, the condition blights women from all walks of life, and the month of March is Endometriosis Action Month.

Dr Anita Sharma, founder of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity and a president of Rochdale Inner Wheel, said: "Endometriosis Action month is an opportunity to raise awareness, demand change, and show your support for these women, but awareness only goes so far.

"Under-recognition, poor understanding and delayed treatment of this condition leave many women feeling unsupported.

"Women suffering with endometriosis need and deserve a tangible action and positive changes to improve care and support.

"Endometriosis Action Month is the perfect opportunity to raise our voices and be heard.

"This month we’ll be highlighting the real impact of living with endometriosis – shining a light on areas including mental health, finances - including the need for Governments to review the way benefits are assessed for those with endometriosis, and the need for greater support in the workplace."

Endometriosis is a relatively common, potentially debilitating condition affecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and those assigned female at birth.

In the UK around 1.5 million women are currently living with the condition.

It takes 7.5 years to make a diagnosis, and 27 is the average age when a diagnosis is made.

In total, 30-40% women with endometriosis suffer with infertility.

Almost 60% of women will see three or more clinicians before a diagnosis is made and 68% of women were misdiagnosed with another condition.

Also, the annual healthcare cost for endometriosis is £12.5bn in the UK in treatment and work loss.

Celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Emma Bunton, and Naga Munchetty (who has adenomyosis, dubbed endo’s “bad cousin”) have all come forward to help raise awareness of endometriosis.

Funds collected by the Endometriosis Awareness North team throughout March will go towards care for sufferers and their families, plus research into the condition.

Dr Sharma added: "One of the most important reasons I organized a team of walkers to walk around Queens Park was to show patients they are not alone, and that somebody cares for them.

"It is time for practical action on supporting sufferers and crucially, finding a cure. Too often women’s health conditions have fallen behind with endo being a classic example.

"Despite being so prevalent and so many alternative medications being touted, research has been pitiful in comparison to that around male health conditions.

"The fact that this group was led by Lucy (an endometriosis sufferer) and included her baby also sent out powerful messages."

Lucy said: "You are able to have something approaching a normal life with support, and childbirth can be achieved even when you have endo.”

The Endometriosis Awareness North charity is next organising a coffee morning, with experts and those living with endo, taking place at Norden Bowling Club.

It takes place on Saturday 23 March - drop-in from 10am.

Learn more about Endometriosis Awareness North by clicking here.