11/03/2026
As a teenager, my periods were extremely heavy and painful, sometimes to the point that I fainted. Like many young women, I was prescribed the pill to manage the symptoms, and that was where the conversation ended. Endometriosis was never mentioned.
Years later, during fertility investigations, minimal endometriosis was found. Being minimal our fertility diagnosis was ultimately listed as unexplained. But to me it explained why I had suffered so much with my periods.
Looking back, I often think about how many people experience symptoms for years before endometriosis is even considered. In the UK, the average time to diagnosis has increased to 9 years!
Endometriosis can affect people very differently. Some experience severe pain, others milder symptoms, and the stage of the condition doesn’t always reflect how someone feels day to day. That’s part of what makes it such a complex and misunderstood condition.
Alongside medical care, many people find that supporting the body through nutrition, lifestyle and self-care can help them feel more supported in daily life. Things like anti-inflammatory foods, gentle movement, managing energy levels and reducing stress can all play a role in improving the severity of symptoms.
But what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Our bodies, symptoms and experiences are individual - which is why personalised approaches can often make the biggest difference.
During Endometriosis Awareness Month, conversations like this matter. The more we share, listen and learn, the better support people can receive.
The charity Endometriosis UK are at the forefront of change and provide support to The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis. The APPG brings together MPs and Peers from all political parties to ensure endometriosis remains high up on the political agenda.
Greater awareness is helping reduce the time to diagnosis, but as you can see there is still a long way to go.
I’d love to hear from you. How long did it take for you to receive a diagnosis?
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