Join us on Wednesday 12th July at 7pm for 'Endometriosis and Menopause'.⁠ ⁠ In this informative webinar, Dr Haitham Hamoda - Consultant Gynaecologist and Sub-specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Kings College Hospital, will be speaking about natural and chemical menopause, what happens to endometriosis during the menopause, the impact of the menopause, self-management and medical pathways. ⁠ ⁠ There will be a Q&A at the end of the talk. When registered you will receive an event confirmation email with a link to submit your webinar questions.⁠ ⁠ Register at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Image description: Yellow text on a red background reads 'Webinar: Endometriosis and Menopause, Wednesday 12th July 7pm - 8pm'⁠ ⁠

“Pride is a celebration of identity, diversity and difference, but it’s also a protest against ongoing discrimination, bigotry and ignorance. This Pride, we want to recognise and celebrate the whole LGBTQIA+ endometriosis community, including our wonderful supporters, volunteers and staff. This is a perfect time of year to reflect on what we’ve achieved and what’s still to come. ⁠ ⁠ But we also want to highlight the specific challenges LGBTQIA+ people with endometriosis face. ⁠ All too often, those from LGBTQIA+ communities deal with stereotypes, assumptions and misgendering when accessing care and support. This is something we want to change.” ⁠ ⁠ This Pride Month, our EDI (Equality Diversity and Inclusion) Committee share a message on the additional barriers faced by those from LGBTQIA+ communities with endometriosis. ⁠ ⁠ Find the full statement at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Image description: red text on a yellow background reads 'Blog: A message from our EDI committee this Pride Month'

On Saturday 17th June, we were thrilled to welcome 12 wonderful new volunteers to our team at our first in person induction training event since 2020.⁠ ⁠ We'd like to say a huge thank you and wish a very warm welcome to everyone who attended. We are so grateful for your support and enthusiasm for supporting those with endometriosis. ⁠ ⁠ If you’re thinking of volunteering, we’d love to hear from you. By joining our growing network of support volunteers, you will make a huge difference to those with endometriosis by helping us to reach the thousands that rely on us for support and information.⁠ ⁠ Our support network volunteers all have lived experience of endometriosis. Please note that for these roles, we only accept applications from those with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis.⁠ ⁠ We have several upcoming dates and locations for our volunteer induction training days:⁠ ⁠ Saturday 4th November 2023 - Edinburgh⁠ Saturday 24th February 2024 – London⁠ ⁠ We will soon update our website and social media with a date for an online training day for those who would prefer to complete this training virtually.⁠ ⁠ Find out more, or get in touch on our website. Image description: A group of volunteers sit and stand smiling behind a table. White text highlighted in red at the bottom of the image reads 'Welcome new Volunteers!'

Have you received your Walk for Endo Bucket Hat? We’d love to see! Tag us and share the hashtag #WalkforEndo in your posts so we can see and share your photos.    There’s still time to sign up to Walk for Endo this July and take on 8,000 steps per day every day to represent the average of 8 years it takes to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK.    You could walk solo, with friends and family, outside, on the spot, on a treadmill, or in a relay with friends if 8,000 steps sounds too much right now.    We encourage you to make the challenge your own. However you #WalkForEndo, you will be helping to support our work driving much needed change for those with endometriosis, ensuring everyone receives the right support at the right time.   Simply sign up, set up your fundraising page and raise your first £25 to receive your own Endometriosis UK bucket hat.   Find out more at the link in our bio today.

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms that you believe could be endometriosis, keeping a pain and symptoms diary can help when speaking to your doctor.⁠ ⁠ Visiting your doctor to pursue a diagnosis can be overwhelming and you may find that keeping a written record of pain and symptoms can help you to remember exactly what you want to say, helping you and your doctor to understand what you have been experiencing and any patterns or changes to your symptoms, which may help to support a diagnosis.⁠ ⁠ For those who have diagnosed endometriosis, keeping track can also help you and your doctor to manage your symptoms and track any patterns or changes. ⁠ ⁠ On our website, we have a template available for a Pain and Symptoms diary, which you can use to track your symptoms. This template includes general questions about your symptoms and a calendar to help keep track. ⁠ Find the template at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Image description: A red and white notebook against a yellow background. A title on the notebook page reads 'Pain and Symptoms diary'⁠

"I'm walking for endo because I am part of the 1 in 10 who suffer with endometriosis. It is a constant battle in my life that I face every day. ⁠ Endometriosis UK have helped me through so many times and I want to keep raising awareness and money for the charity so that people like me can get the help and support they need for generations to come."⁠ ⁠ Join Jade and #WalkForEndo this July 💛⁠ ⁠ When you raise your first £25, we’ll send you your own Endometriosis UK bucket hat to keep you cool in the sun and raise awareness as you walk.⁠ ⁠ We encourage you to make the challenge your own and however you #WalkForEndo, you will be helping to support our work driving much needed change for the 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth suffering with endometriosis, ensuring everyone receives the right support at the right time.⁠ ⁠ Find out more at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Image description: a photo of Jade with 'Why I Walk for Endo' written at the bottom.

If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, you may be wondering what your options are for treatment and management. There is currently no cure for endometriosis, and treatment and management options are limited to hormonal treatments, pain management, and surgery. There can be challenges when it comes to finding the right treatment and management option for you. What works for one person may not work for another, and may vary for an individual over time. What is important, is that you feel able to make informed decisions in partnership with your healthcare practitioner. You should be in control of your treatment plan and what is right for you. ⁠ ⁠ When it comes to endometriosis treatment and management, we are campaigning for change. We want to see better access to treatment and management pathways, funding for research to uncover better treatment and management options, and recognition that endometriosis is a chronic condition, deserving of long-term support. ⁠ ⁠ Without investment in research, future generations will also continue to suffer and not get the care and support they need. For information on treatment options, please visit our website.⁠

This Pride Month, Lydia shares her story of her journey to a diagnosis of endometriosis, and her experience of the additional barriers that those from LGBTQIA+ communities can face. ⁠ ⁠ “After countless GP appointments and speaking with different practitioners, I was told repeatedly that my pain was most likely normal and is just “the sad reality of being a woman”. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve been in long-term relationships with women and this felt difficult to approach at most of my initial appointments. It seemed to be less understood and when some of the GPs I spoke with asked about painful sex and contraceptives, as soon as I would say that I’m in a relationship with a woman the questions would stop. It felt like because I don’t have sex with men, then it was assumed that painful sex wouldn’t be one of my symptoms.⁠ ⁠ A lot of the GPs I saw would just assume I was straight which just creates a level of awkwardness. As a gay person you do accept that ‘coming out’ isn’t a linear process and the first time you do it will never be your last. However, I do hope that with time, this becomes less of an issue because I know for some people, this can be really difficult and might prevent them from seeking help for their Endometriosis. This is why Pride is so important and continues to be key in breaking down barriers that still exist for queer people. ⁠ ⁠ I feel relieved and so thankful to all the practitioners that believed me and helped me finally get answers. I would urge anyone that is suffering to always keep pushing for answers and don’t accept that this is your fate. I’ve followed Endometriosis UK from afar throughout this process and their online presence has been a source of knowledge and comfort. For this I’m very thankful.”⁠ ⁠ Read Lydia’s full story on our blog, linked in our bio.⁠ ⁠ It is unacceptable that, like Lydia, so many feel that their experience is undermined due to their sexuality. This Pride Month and always, Endometriosis UK campaign for vital change for those facing additional barriers on their endometriosis journey.⁠ ⁠ You can read more about our work to support those from LGBTQIA+ communities on our blog.

Join us on Wednesday 21st June for a free webinar: 'Endometriosis and Sex'⁠ ⁠ We'll be joined by Ena Ankutse, Highly Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and Team lead of the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Service at Royal Free Hospital London NHS Trust, who will be speaking about how endometriosis can affect sex, services available for support, and top physiotherapy tips.⁠ ⁠ There will be a Q&A at the end of the talk. When registered for the webinar, you will receive an event confirmation email with a link to submit your questions.⁠ ⁠ Register at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ All of our webinars are recorded. Recordings are made available on our website as soon as possible after the session. We will update our social media when the recording is available.⁠ ⁠ Image description: Yellow text on a red background reads 'Webinar: Endometriosis and Sex, Wednesday 21st June, 7pm-8pm' a small icon of a yellow laptop sits above the text

Come with us to post your #WalkForEndo bucket hats!   So many of you have already raised your first £25 and earned your Endometriosis UK bucket hat already and we are SO grateful  💛   Sign up to join ‘Walk for Endo’ and take on 8000 steps per day this July to represent the average of 8 years it takes to get a diagnosis of endometriosis. Your support helps us to continue our work driving change to reduce waiting times and improve access to care for all. Have you received your hat already? We’d love to see! Tag us in your photos and stories to spread awareness and show your support 💛

Raise awareness and keep cool in our #WalkForEndo exclusive bucket hat this summer! To receive yours, simply sign up, set up your fundraising page and raise your first £25 🙌 Walk for Endo this July and take on 8000 steps per day in solidarity with those on their endometriosis journey. The 8000 steps represent the average of 8 years it takes to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK. This is far too long. Take part and help make a difference by raising awareness and supporting our work to drive change for those with endometriosis. Find out more and sign up at the link in our bio. Image description: Endometriosis UK team member Ailish is smiling in a park wearing a yellow bucket hat with the Endometriosis UK logo on the front

We’d like to say a huge thank you this Friday to everyone who has helped someone to feel less alone on their endometriosis journey. ⁠ ⁠ By volunteering, sharing your own story, raising awareness, showing solidarity by taking on a fundraising challenge, being there for a family member or checking in on a friend, your support goes a long way. ⁠ ⁠ If you need someone to talk to, you are not alone. Our support services are run by trained volunteers across the UK and include support groups, web chat, helpline and 24/7 online community on HealthUnlocked. ⁠ ⁠ Further information on our support services and how you can get involved is available at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ Image description: Red text on a yellow background reads 'Knowing I'm not alone helps so much'⁠