March is endometriosis awareness month. “Endo-what?” If you’re unfamiliar with endometriosis, you’re not alone. Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (called endometrial tissue) grows outside the uterus. While it’s often associated with reproductive organs, this tissue has been found on lungs, the brain, the heart, liver, gallbladder, appendix, and more.
Why Awareness Matters
The disease impacts an estimated 1 in 10 women assigned female at birth, and the path to diagnosis is often long and difficult, averaging 7-10 years. Some symptoms are:
- Severe chronic pain
- Adhesions that often lead to the fusing of organs
- Digestive issues
- Infertility
These symptoms can be confusing and often lead to misdiagnosis, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or simply dismissed as bad menstrual cramps.
The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery, another barrier to diagnosis. And while there is no known cure for endometriosis, treatment ranges from pain management to hormonal birth control, GnRH agonists and antagonists, and lifestyle and dietary changes. Surgical treatments, such as excision (known as the gold standard, and involves cutting out the endometriosis), ablation (burning off the tissue), hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) assist with keeping symptoms at bay, but they cannot cure endometriosis.
This disease doesn’t just impact health, it affects lifestyle. That’s why endometriosis awareness and education are crucial, not just for those experiencing symptoms, but for healthcare providers, employers, family members, and society at large. The more we all understand, the sooner we can improve diagnosis, treatment options, support systems, and reduce the stigma around discussing menstrual health. This awareness becomes even more critical when we consider that endometriosis affects people during their prime educational and career-building years, often silently impacting academic and professional trajectories.
My Story
I’m passionate about endometriosis awareness because I am 1 in 10. Endometriosis has been a part of my life for longer than it hasn’t. I used to carry a lot of resentment for living with chronic illness when I was younger. In fact, 25 years ago this year, my classmates were starting day 1 of our senior year spring break, while I was being wheeled in for excision surgery. Over time, I’ve worked extremely hard to adjust my thought process. My illness has gifted me determination, resilience, courage, and perseverance. It has also taught me compassion, integrity, patience, and mindfulness. All of these qualities make me a better employee, colleague, and manager. Living with chronic illness has also fueled my passion for healthcare. I’ve dedicated a significant amount of my career to public relations and digital marketing in healthcare specifically. Meeting patients, sharing their incredible stories and now amplifying the messages of healthcare industry change makers who are working towards cures, treatment options, care delivery, and access to care, has provided me with purpose.
Finding Purpose Through My Work
Working at ICR has given me a unique opportunity to turn my personal experience into meaningful professional impact. Every day, I collaborate with innovative clients who are pioneering groundbreaking therapies for conditions like endometriosis and other complex diseases. It’s incredibly fulfilling to leverage my social media expertise to amplify these scientific advancements, helping investors, healthcare professionals, patients, and other key stakeholders stay informed. Having lived with a chronic condition, I bring a deeper level of understanding and authenticity to these communications. There’s something powerful about knowing that the social strategies I develop today might help connect someone to the treatments of tomorrow, and I’m proud to be part of an agency that strives to shape the future of healthcare.
Turning Awareness into Action
This Endometriosis Awareness Month, I share my story not just as one of the millions living with this condition, but as someone who has found strength and purpose through it. While endometriosis may be part of my story, it doesn’t define my limits—instead, it has expanded my abilities. By speaking openly about endometriosis, we can:
- Help reduce diagnostic delays
- Combat misconceptions
- Support others on their journey
After all, understanding leads to awareness, awareness leads to action, and action leads to change.
Want to learn more? The film Below the Belt is often available for free during Endometriosis Awareness Month: Below the Belt.
For additional resources for patients, friends and family, visit: The Endo Co | Patient Founded. Patient Focused.
