Vote of thanks on the cards
We have just published the first of our Christmas greetings for 2025 – and it registers our appreciation of all who have helped make our charity stronger.
As well as being a time of multiple faith ceremonies from Hannukah to Christmas, the holidays are a period when many reflect on times past.
And that’s something we will be doing as we look back on the last twelve months between Christmas and New Year.
For us, 2025 has been relentless as we move a little nearer to our goal of raising awareness of endo to the medical profession and the public.
Look out for that, and keep an eye on our site and social media for comment and updates on beating endometriosis!
Pulling no punches in the battle against ignorance
“I do believe the rationale behind poor awareness lies in a misogynist attitude to female health.”
Read our founder Dr Anita Sharma’s latest blog calling for the establishment of specialist endo clinics and delivering a stern ticking-off to male dominated medical management.
Aside from showcasing the stories of endo warriors, our BLOGS page has tackled many issues from pain management to the role of the arts in promoting awareness.
Why not give it a visit? And better still, drop us a line about composing your own blog?.
One-stop-shop the way to counter endo
One-stop clinics where doctors and specialist nurses can work together to diagnose and treat endometriosis are the best way to reduce sufferer’s pain – and help cut our £12.5 billion annual national health spend.
That was the united view of a Greater Manchester conference which heard that the current pitiful level of awareness meant professionals such as teachers and nurses with the condition, could no longer carry out their work.
Organised by Endometriosis Awareness North, speakers called for an end to short-termism around the blight which affects a staggering one-in-ten-women. Two years ago, the expected waiting time for a diagnosis was seven years. Now it has risen to eight years and ten months. Although many sufferers develop symptoms in their teens, the average age of a diagnosed sufferer is 27.
“Currently decision-makers tell us that specific clinics for endo are simply too expensive” said Dr Anita Sharma, founder of the charity. “But the cost of an area with rooms for consultations and scanning is nothing compared to paying for endless visits to A&E where doctors have no expertise in the condition. Patients are dismissed, ignored and belittled. Misdiagnosis also results in operations for appendicitis and back pain.
We have had one-stop-shops for diabetes and even for peripheral vascular disease to save amputation so why not endometriosis?”
Occurring when cells in the womb then spread to other organs, the pain experienced by endo warriors is excruciating and the mental strain overwhelming.
Guests who attended had been told previously they were too young or old for the condition, that the severe aches in areas like the back “just needed paracetamol” and were not even referred to an expert to check if it could be the condition.
Under-pressure medics didn’t even have the time to see if their patient had made multiple visits with the same conditions – and merely dismissed them with tablets for irritable bowel.
One would-be educator Courtney hardly has the strength to get out of bed now, while nurse Lucy has had endo in her kidneys and lungs. A talented teacher was even dismissed from her role because “she had too much time off sick.”
The CEO of Endometriosis UK Emma Cox was also on the podium at the event, endorsing their Northern cousins’ campaign to educate schools, and support endo warriors and their families. Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell called for endometriosis awareness to be a pivotal part of resident doctor’s training.
Also speaking at the Rochdale hosted event was specialist endo consultant Dr Ken Ma, plus the families of those with the condition.
Concluded Dr Sharma: “There was a real feeling of unity and determination in the room, and it is that spirit that will surely carry the day when it comes to beating endo.”
For more on Endometriosis Awareness North, go to https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com/
Dr Anita Sharma is the author of, “Endometriosis in Primary Care.” All proceeds from the book go to research into endo by the University of Manchester.
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Find out what we're really about, on film
Click onto our brand new movie, detailing what Endometriosis Awareness North is all about Endometriosis Awareness North - YouTube
Featuring our treasured case study Courtney, it also gives medics a platform to call for quicker diagnosis of endometriosis.
With thanks to filmmakers Andrea Bertozzi and Pete Gibson Media.
Donate
We are registered with The Charity Commission. Our charity number is 1212676.
You can do your bit to research a cure to endo and support the one-in-ten women with the condition by going to our DONATE page.