Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026
Symptoms vary person to person, from mild and manageable to severe and debilitating with permanent damage to organs.
And yet, so many people are unaware of the condition and how it impacts a person's life; in fact, Endometriosis UK have confirmed 54% of people in the UK don't even know the condition exists.
Endometriosis Action Month runs throughout March, with the aim of raising global awareness about Endometriosis.
This year, the theme is ‘Endometriosis Doesn’t Wait’. Endometriosis doesn’t wait whilst you’re trying to get a diagnosis or access care. It doesn’t wait for your career. Your education. Your social life or your relationships.
Endometriosis is a chronic, long-term condition that can cause painful periods that interfere with everyday life, chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bowel and bladder problems, difficulty getting pregnant and fatigue.
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.
Symptoms vary person to person, from mild and manageable to severe and debilitating with permanent damage to organs.
And yet, so many people are unaware of the condition and how it impacts a person's life.
Endometriosis UK's new report: The State of Endometriosis Care in the UK shows that the average time to receive a diagnosis is now 9 years and 4 months. For women and those assigned female at birth from ethnically diverse communities in the UK, it’s even longer at 11 years.
At the start of 2026, over three-quarters of a million women were waiting for gynaecological care.
It is important to raise awareness of endometriosis to help women receive a diagnosis sooner, be able to identify the symptoms, and know what treatments are available.
If you are concerned, take a look at Endometriosis UK'S Symptom Checker, learn more about Endometriosis on their website and support available for you or your loved one.
Remember, your pain is real and you are never alone.
Let's keep the conversation going
It's #EndometrosisAwarenessMonth and we want to hear from you! #BeHeardInBrent
Your voice makes a difference.
At Healthwatch Brent, we believe that access to good information and services is not just about accessing appointments but that each service is person-centred and your voice is heard.
Together, let's take action for this disease to be fully researched and understood.
What has your experience been using healthcare services in Brent and having Endometriosis? Are you waiting for a diagnosis? What would you like to see?
To share your experiences, please go onto our Have Your Say Survey.
Read Sarah’s Story about living with endometriosis.
Sarah has lived with endometriosis since she was a teenager, and it took 14 years for the condition to be diagnosed. What Sarah learnt was the importance of building good relationships with healthcare professionals, to ensure that her voice was heard.
Sarah told us that, living with endometriosis is challenging and developing a good relationship with your GP is vital. If my GP had not been so supportive the journey would have been more challenging. In fact, it was my GP who suggested I make contact with Endometriosis UK.
By building good relationships with healthcare professionals, puts you – the patient -in the driving seat with regards to the options, effect, and the choices you have.
Sarah shared that she was sent for a scan and a large cyst was found. Her husband hadn’t been able to attend this appointment due to work, and felt he had let her down, which of course was not the case. Both Sarah and her husband attended a follow up meeting with her GP to discuss the findings. This meant that her GP was able to answer both Sarah and her husband’s questions.
When Sarah’s pain became really extreme – due to a frozen pelvis from endometriosis adhesions- her GP supported by discussing medication and treatment options.
After another operation Sarah was off work for 6 months and found that she had become isolated. At first work colleagues were supportive but as time went on, the gap increased - work colleagues had moved on and she had not. My family live a long way away and did not think I needed any support because I never asked.
She began to lose the willpower to communicate effectively but found that if she wrote down the main points she wanted to discuss and prioritised them, she used her time with the GP well and got her needs heard.
Endometriosis UK's Support Network is here to offer those affected by endometriosis the support and information they need to understand the condition and take control.
Being diagnosed with endometriosis can be a daunting experience, but you don’t have to face it alone. You can call their helpline, join a local support group, contact their web chat, join a online community or access Endometriosis UK's nurse-led support line.
The Samaritans offer 24 hour emotional support - in full confidence. If you're in distress and need someone to talk to, you can call 116 123.
