Contributed by guest blogger Holly Dodd

Endometriosis Awareness: What Not to Say and How to Offer Real Support

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a condition that affects around 1.5 million people in the UK. Despite how common it is, endometriosis remains widely misunderstood and diagnosis can take up to 12 years. Meaning people are often left to fend for themselves and deal with debilitating symptoms unmedicated and alone.

If you know someone with endometriosis, your words and actions can make a real difference. It’s also good to be aware of things you should avoid saying and how you can help support them.

What not to say

“Everyone gets period pain, it’s just part of being a woman.”

Endometriosis is far more than period pain. Due to disease causing tissue similar to the womb lining to grow in other places, it can affect bowels, bladder, and other organs. It can bring symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and severe pain. Comparing it to a “normal period” is harmful and inaccurate.  Endometriosis can cause heavy irregular bleeding making plans extremely difficult.

“Have you thought about getting pregnant? That might help.”

Not only is this an incredibly personal topic, but pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis. Some people may find it lessens the symptoms  due to not having ovulation or period pain - however it’s not a fix and will return for most women afterwards. 

Endometriosis can also make it more difficult to get pregnant due to damage it can cause to the tubes and ovaries. This can be an extremely challenging  realisation for people who plan to have kids in their future. 

“Have you tried changing your diet, or using this medication?”

Unsolicited advice is something that unfortunately comes alongside a lot of chronic illnesses. Sometimes it can be because the person really wants to help, however due to the fact it is a disease with no cure it can come across as quite insulting. Not to mention they’ve probably tried it before!

Ways to offer genuine support

Ask how you can help

Since symptoms vary from person to person and not everyone finds certain remedies to help it’s best to ask. Just by asking, “Is there anything I can do to make things easier?” or “Would you like me to pick anything up for you?” can make such a difference.

At certain points in the month they may be unable to move and may find small chores to be very demanding. The last thing they’ll be thinking of is cooking and cleaning when they’re in severe pain. Offering to help take the load of could make such a difference. Even just by dropping off their favourite snack or filling up their water bottle can make them feel seen and cared for. 

Help with pain relief

While there’s no one size fits all solution, some things can provide temporary relief. Here are some nice gestures to help with the pain:

• Fill their hot water

• Put their heated blanket on

• Herbal teas to help with the inflammation

• Running them a hot bath

• A TENS unit

• Letting them rest during a flare up

• Getting them painkillers

Listening and understanding

Endometriosis is often thought of as just a painful period, and with the long wait time to get help can be years, and that’s if the GP takes you seriously. Being dismissed medically can be extremely frustrating, so it’s important they feel seen in their personal life. Just by listening to them and acknowledging them can make them feel validated.

Let’s use this month as a reminder to foster empathy, push for better awareness, and stand with the 1.5 million people in the UK living with this condition.

Contributed by guest blogger Holly Dodd