​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Consequences of the perpetuation of generational taboos/secrecy, poor health literacy and a prevailing ethos of menstrual shaming—by physicians, caregivers, peers and media alike—are associated with acceptance of “The Curse” mentality.

 

Cultural attitudes towards the menstrual cycle as a hygienic crisis or embarrassing burden have profoundly negative effects.

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In today’s progressive society, ignorance of facts can lead to deficient health practices and adverse medical, educational and social outcomes:

 

• Menstrual shaming and invalidation of painful symptoms leads to increased absenteeism, synonymous with lost educational and fiscal opportunities;

• Low confidence levels and suboptimal therapy choices among clinicians;

• Familial and social isolation;

• Negative construct across media and peer groups;

• Lack of social and physical support mechanisms; and

• Physical worsening of disease leading to negative self-objectification, body shame or sexual decision-making; permanent damage including loss of fertility; deficient quality of life and even, as we have tragically observed recently, loss of life.

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One of the most perplexing aspects of endometriosis is that the severity of the pain isn’t directly related to the stages of the disease. This means that someone with Stage 2 endometriosis could experience severe pain, while someone with Stage 4 might have milder symptoms or even none at all. The stages of endometriosis are more about the location, extent, and depth of the endometrial-like tissue, not the intensity of the pain or the symptoms experienced. This variability makes it a particularly enigmatic condition and underscores the importance of individualised treatment approaches.

 

About one in ten women have Endometriosis, making it about as common as Diabetes. Despite being recognised by the National Health Service (NHS) as one of the most severe and debilitating medical conditions on record, it takes an average of eight doctors and up to ten years to diagnose due to the lack of awareness surrounding the disease.