Social: #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth #LetsEndoThePain
Twitter: @EndoAssn
Facebook: @EndoAssn
Instagram: @endometriosisasssociation
Website: https://endometriosisassn.org/endometriosis-awareness-month-2021
Ending the pain for millions of women and teens
Endometriosis is a puzzling disease that affects our hormones, our immune system (the system that fights germs and cancer), and the digestive tract (the system involved in the breakdown and absorption of our food).
The name comes from the word “endometrium” which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. Each month, or cycle, this tissue builds up and sheds, causing the normal bleeding experienced during the period. With endometriosis, tissue like this is found outside of the uterus in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, intestines, bladder, and other places. In these other locations, the tissue develops into what are called “growths” or “implants.”
Like the lining of the uterus, endometriosis growths usually respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. They can build up tissue and shed each cycle causing bleeding.
The result of this bleeding and the immune problems that are part of endo are the formation of scar tissue, pain, and other complications.
PROCLAMATION FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH
Whereas endometriosis is a complex hormonal and immune chronic disease causing multiple symptoms, including pain, which disrupt the lives of an estimated 89 million women and girls worldwide;
Whereas there is no known cure for endometriosis and treatments are often problematic;
Whereas lack of knowledge of the disease combined with stigma causes an average delay of ten years from onset of symptoms to diagnosis;
Whereas women, girls with endometriosis and their families have been shown to be at greater risk for 12 cancers, 7 autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, and heart disease;
Whereas there is a great need for further awareness, education, and research on endometriosis and its related health disorders;
Whereas the Endometriosis Association is a nonprofit charity, founded in 1980, providing support for families affected by endometriosis, education about the disease, and research on the disease;
Whereas the Endometriosis Association began March, Endometriosis Awareness Month in 1993 and has seen it develop into a worldwide observance;
NOW THERFORE, we do hereby declare March, 2021, as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
A distraught parent who called after his daughter could no longer endure the pain and committed suicide
A teenager who cried over the almost unbearable pain she’d suffered since her menstrual cycle first began
The woman who called in tears because her husband wanted to end their marriage because of her pain with sex
These are among the thousands of calls and emails from women, teens and their friends and family members that the Endometriosis Association receives every year. The stories are not unique. The circumstances are not new. The pain – both physical and emotional – is not imagined. And the disease is not limited by age, race or residence.
These are the type of real-life stories that led the Association to launch the first Endometriosis Awareness Month 27 years ago. It’s why the month continues to gain support and recognition as women around the globe gain the courage to overcome the stigma surrounding endometriosis by speaking out about their pain and the need for a cure.
Have a question, concern or comment? Fill out the form or write to us at support@endometriosisassn.org for more information.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Free Endometriosis Awareness Month materials available
In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, free yellow ribbons and stickers which say “Ask Me About Endo” are available in English, Spanish, and French. Informational brochures (the popular “yellow” brochure) in more than 30 languages are also available. Contact the Endometriosis Association at 800-992-3636 or by email at Endo@EndometriosisAssn.org
In addition to the Association’s website https://EndometriosisAssn.org, more information on endometriosis is available in the Endometriosis Association’s books, available for purchase on the organization’s website.
Endometriosis Association
8585 North 76th Place
Milwaukee, WI 53223
(414) 355-2200
(414) 355-6065 Fax
cathy@ EndometriosisAssn.org
www.endometriosisassn.org
Materials available
Contact: Carol Drury