Endometriosis Action Month: ‘Could it be Endometriosis?’

54% of UK People Don’t Know What Endometriosis is: Signs to be Aware of and When to See a Doctor.

In the UK, despite approximately 1.5 million women, and those assigned female at birth, being affected by endometriosis, more than half of people do not know what endometriosis is, according to new research from Endometriosis UK.

Worryingly, 45% of UK women are also unable to name any symptoms of endometriosis. During Endometriosis Action Month 2025, Endometriosis UK is focusing on raising vital awareness of the common signs of the condition. Their aim is to improve the awareness of the general public and understanding of endometriosis to ensure that those experiencing symptoms, their friends and family, and their healthcare team, know to ask ‘could it be endometriosis?’, leading to a more prompt diagnosis and access to care.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body, such as the bladder, bowel and ovaries.  

Each month these cells react to the hormones produced by the ovaries in the same way as those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.  

Scar tissue and adhesions can form, and in severe cases this causes organs to stick together. Endometriosis is a long-term condition and can impact daily life.  

The actual cause of endometriosis is unknown. It is possible that a combination of the following factors could be causing endometriosis to develop in some of those affected by the condition: retrograde menstruation (when menstrual blood goes back along the fallopian tubes), genetic predisposition, immune dysfunction, circulatory spread, environmental causes, and metaplasia (changes in the cells that line the  inside the abdomen).  

Common signs of endometriosis include:

Symptoms can vary from person to person, so it is always best to speak with your doctor, or a specialist, if you are concerned. Also, the extent of the disease does not correlate with the severity of the symptoms.

Women and Equalities Committee Report

It’s not just public awareness of endometriosis that is low, the recent Women and Equalities Committee Report found there to be a “clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions, in particular endometriosis, among many primary healthcare practitioners”, and concluded that gynaecological care is not being treated as a priority.

The Commons Select Committee, which set out to examine the experiences of care women with reproductive conditions get in England, found that many women were being left in pain and discomfort that “interferes with every aspect of their daily lives”, including their education, careers, relationships and fertility, while their symptoms worsened. It was also reported that as symptoms were often “normalised”, this resulted in a delay of “years” for a number of women accessing an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Read the full report Women’s Reproductive Health Conditions.

Hormone Health support

At Hormone Health, we are passionate about providing evidence-based information to help women make informed decisions regarding their health. All investigations and treatments are supported by extensive clinical research and the relevant expert academic societies. If you are experiencing symptoms of endometriosis our specialist team can help.

Professor Mary Ann Lumsden is a highly experienced Consultant Gynaecologist with more than 30 years’ experience caring for women with menstrual conditions.

Arrange a consultation with Professor Lumsden.