Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people with uteruses in the UK, but support is often limited and understanding even more so. Nickie is a volunteer for West Kent Endometriosis Support Group, and she chatted with CommunityAd about this often-debilitating condition.
Nickie explains, “In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Endometriosis (pronounced en-doh-mee-tree-oh-sis) is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
“Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life.
“I was inspired to start the support group with Endometriosis UK because I felt that Kent needed an active help group as the closest one was London-based and wasn’t accessible due to the pandemic so thought that I would fill the gap. Especially as there are two local hospitals which have endometriosis specialist clinics.
“Endometriosis doesn’t just affect you in a medical way. It can really affect your mood and wellbeing as the symptoms can cause you to miss out on social events, so it can also feel quite isolating.
“We are getting better at talking about endometriosis; however, it still needs to be fully understood that it is not just a bad period and it can affect you every single day. It is often a hidden disability which needs further understanding.
“The response from the community had been brilliant. We have had considerable growth within the group and had a lot of contact from people who felt they needed support and mutual understanding from others who suffer with the disease.
“The group offers further information, support, friendship, mutual understanding – but we do not offer medical advice or clinical recommendation.”