Founder warns menopause may not be the end of endo
Women will continue to suffer prejudice because of ignorance around the menopause.
And if they have endured a condition like endometriosis, the so-called "Change" might not mean the close of the pain they've endured since their teens.
So says our founder Dr Anita Sharma, who launched World Menopause Day (16 October) with a plea for society to "cease superstition, stigma, and misinformation."
She said: "From jibes about hot flushes to religious taboos, our attitudes to the menopause have resulted in myths, misinformation, and in some cases, mental health misery. This is a perfectly natural process women pass through - but it can be difficult and is one that deserves more understanding and a little less ridicule and shame."
Myths around menopause, have included:
⦁ It is a mild condition about temperature change and shouldn't entitle women to time off work
⦁ It makes all women moody and confrontational
⦁ The medication HRT completely cures it
⦁ It marks the close of being a real woman and destroys your sex life!
Historically, the menopause has even been seen as a curse.
The end of oestrogen production which the menopause promotes has even led some medics to believe that other conditions then subside.
"This is dangerous thinking and is typical of a sexist medical profession still struggling with the idea of endometriosis" continued Dr Sharma. "In actual fact, some women can still produce small amounts of oestrogen which can cause inflammation in other parts of the body. Just as doctors can be wrong when they say you are too young for endometriosis, The Change doesn't necessarily mean the suffering stops."
Dr Sharma would like to see employers enlighten workers about menopause and also believes training for junior doctors needs updating - fundamentally!
"Too often learning about menopause and endometriosis is folded-into general teaching about gynaecology" she continued, "and there's certainly very little life experience about dealing with women in physical and mental distress."
Marguerite brings cocktail of outcomes and change
Endometriosis Awareness North is always happy to hear and share perspectives from other parts of Britain.
Which is why we were delighted to meet Dr Marguerite O’Riordan, an Academic Clinical Fellow and Public Health Registrar based in Southampton.
She also serves as the Southeast Resident Doctor Representative for the Medical Women’s Federation, where she is a strong advocate for females in medicine.
Our founder Dr Anita Sharma met with Marguerite at the annual conference of the British International Doctors Association (BIDA).
Dr Sharma said: "Her work focuses on reducing health inequalities and addressing the women’s health gap through research, awareness and advocacy. And her commitment to improving outcomes for women and driving meaningful change across the healthcare system is truly inspiring."
Discover BIDA by visiting https://bida-online.com/
Making a stand for women
Our founder put three utterly inspirational speakers before an event for overseas doctors, to remind them that endo warriors are, "young people in the prime of their life, suffering every month."
Dr Anita Sharma presented BMJ editor Professor Kamran Abbassi, Prof Scarlett McNally CBE, and the President of the Royal Society of Medicine, Mr Diwakar Sarma, to the national conference of the British International Doctors Association (BIDA).
The latter outlined how early recognition, better decisions, and particularly integrated care impacted on the success of surgery.
Professor McNally from the Women's Federation made a plucky case for unleashing the talent of women doctors, reminding us that a staggering 91% of women in the NHS had experienced sexism in the workplace.
Meanwhile Prof Abbassi bemoaned male-centred research, saying: "the lack of data means that we are excluding certain populations and this amplifies the existing bias."
Dr Sharma began proceedings with an introduction to our charity and joked: "you are not leaving the building until you have joined us!"
One of our core aims is to raise awareness of endometriosis amongst the medical profession.
Contact us if you feel you can help.
Fertile message of hope on podcast
Women with endometriosis CAN still bear children naturally.
That was the take-away message from our latest Endo-Unfiltered podcast, now available at https://fromsmash.com/7Og~64CFog-bt?e=YW5pdGEuc2hhcm1hQG5ocy5uZXQ%3D
Questions on the success or otherwise of fertility treatment, risk of miscarriage, and whether endo symptoms actually reduce when you are pregnant, feature.
Joining our founder Dr Anita Sharma at the mike was endo warrior, all-round inspiration, and mum Lucy Bowker. While hopeful mother to be and long serving ambassador Courtney Ormrod, relayed her moving story and hopes - despite the physical and mental pain of endo.
We were boosted this time by Dr Karolina Palinska-Rudzka, Consultant Gynaecologist and accredited Sub-specialist in Reproductive Medicine.
You really could not get a better expert on the subject
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.