Join Us in Recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month This March

Every March, our Utah Fertility Center team recognizes Endometriosis Awareness Month, which was created in 1993 by the Endometriosis Association. The goal is to shine a light on this condition which impacts around 200 million women around the world as well as one out of every 10 women in the U.S. In July of 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved increasing needed funding for endometriosis research from $13 million a year to $26 million a year!

What is Endometriosis?

According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound), endometriosis is a health condition that arises when tissue grows outside of a woman’s womb instead of inside the uterus. This chronic and painful disease is actually common. While we don’t yet know exactly what causes endometriosis, it appears to be related to a process called retrograde menstruation, where the tissue lining the inside of your uterus flows out through your fallopian tubes when you have your period. The result is pain and inflammation as the tissue starts developing on surfaces and organs in your pelvic region, including your:

-Fallopian tubes
-Ovaries
-Bladder
-Bowels
-Intestines
-Rectovaginal septum (separating the vagina from the rectum)
-Perineum

If endometriosis happens to you, you might find yourself experiencing the following:

-Painful periods
-Pain while having sexual intercourse
-Irregular bleeding
-Digestive problems
-Infertility

Unfortunately, Endometriosis too often misdiagnosed or missed. One of the reasons for this is that there still isn’t enough education and awareness surrounding this condition. You don’t always detect what you aren’t looking for. Utah Fertility Center works with others that are shining a light on Endometriosis, especially during March.

The good news is that when Endometriosis is found and treated early, your symptoms can be managed.

How can you participate in Endometriosis Awareness Month?

-Education
-Fundraisers
-Marches
-Wear yellow ribbons to spark a discussion

If you are looking for ways to become involved, you can join EndoFound at one of these virtual events in March 2021:

-Their Video Awareness Campaign allows you to share your experience to help lower the stigma around endometriosis, from March 15-31, 2021.

-The Global Endo24 Virtual Medical Conference on March 20-21, 2021. This 24-hour event is for women patients with endometriosis (in partnership with the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy).

-The International Patient Conference 2021 from March 19-21 to help you get new tools and information to help you live with endometriosis and thrive.

If you are interested in volunteering or fundraising to help spread the word about endometriosis, check out EndoFound’s website.
Remember, at the grassroots level, helping spread awareness about Endometriosis always begins with you and your story. This means talking about it with others, so the stigma around this topic that involves menstruation is squashed. Communicating with others like yourself will help eliminate the taboo of talking about these things, especially in this new age of social media community. Awareness can bring relief as you see firsthand that you are not alone! Everyone with Endometriosis deserves support. So don’t hesitate to join online groups to share your story and to learn from others as well.

On Facebook:

-Endometriosis.org
-Endometriosis Association
-Endometriosis Research Center
-Endopaedia
-Nancy’s Nook Endometriosis Education (a private group)

If you are on Instagram, check out the Top Endometriosis Instagrammers:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/endometriosis/best-endometriosis-instagram-accounts/

On Twitter:

@Endofound
@Endometriosis
@MyEndoTeam
@Endometriosis11

If you want to connect with local groups in your area you can turn to Google.

By creating awareness for research and funding, we can find better treatment for women like you struggling with Endometriosis to improve their quality of life. We encourage you to share your experience with others and learn from theirs as well. This shared sense of community can help bring peace and healing in both body and mind. At the Utah Fertility Center, we are here to help. You can call 801-785-5100 to learn more about our locations in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Pleasant Grove and St. George, Utah. You are not alone!

Article Resource:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/endometriosis/awareness-month/