March marks Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global reminder that one of the most prevalent gynaecological diseases in the world remains one of the most misunderstood.
The World Health Organization estimates that endometriosis affects roughly 10 per cent of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide. That equates to around 190 million people globally. Yet despite its scale, diagnosis is frequently delayed, symptoms are normalised and research funding remains disproportionately low.
This is not a rare condition. It is a common chronic disease.
What Is Endometriosis, Clinically?
Endometriosis is classified by the World Health Organization as a chronic inflammatory disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. These lesions are most commonly found in the pelvic cavity, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes and surrounding tissue.
This misplaced tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. The result can be inflammation, internal scarring and adhesions that bind organs together. Over time, this may lead to chronic pelvic pain, bowel or bladder symptoms and fertility challenges.
WHO recognises that the condition can have significant physical, mental and social consequences.
Alongside endometriosis, related conditions such as adenomyosis are also gaining attention. Often described as a ‘sister condition’, adenomyosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows within the muscular wall of the uterus. It can cause similarly heavy, painful periods and is frequently underdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions. The overlap highlights a broader issue within women’s health: complex, chronic conditions are still too often overlooked or misunderstood.
The Figures That Demand Attention
The numbers alone are striking.
➼ One in ten women globally are affected.
➼ Diagnosis takes an average of seven to ten years.
➼ Up to 75 per cent of patients are initially misdiagnosed.
➼ Between 30 and 50 per cent may experience fertility difficulties.
The Endometriosis Foundation of America reports that endometriosis is as common as asthma and diabetes, yet receives a fraction of comparable research funding. It is also a leading cause of gynaecological pain and related hospital visits.
These are not marginal statistics. They represent millions living with a chronic inflammatory disease that remains widely minimised.
Why Diagnosis Takes So Long
Endometriosis is complex to identify. There is currently no simple blood test that confirms it. While imaging can detect certain forms of disease, particularly ovarian endometriosis, it cannot reliably rule it out. According to clinical guidance recognised by WHO, laparoscopic surgery remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. This requirement alone contributes to delay.
Compounding this is cultural conditioning. Severe period pain is frequently dismissed as normal. Young women are often told they will grow out of it. Others are advised that pregnancy will solve it. Many are treated for anxiety before their symptoms are taken seriously. The average seven to ten-year delay is not purely biological. It is systemic.
More Than Pain
The Mayo Clinic outlines symptoms including severe pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, pain with bowel movements, heavy bleeding, fatigue and infertility. Pain intensity does not necessarily correlate with the stage of disease. Some women with extensive lesions report mild symptoms, while others with minimal visible disease experience debilitating pain.
The impact extends beyond the body. Studies published in international medical journals link endometriosis to reduced productivity, disrupted careers and significant psychological strain.
There Is No Cure
There is currently no cure for endometriosis. Read that again. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through hormonal suppression, pain relief strategies and, in some cases, surgical excision. WHO emphasises the importance of individualised care plans and multidisciplinary support. The absence of a cure makes early recognition and proper management even more critical.
What You Can Actually Do
Awareness is important. Action is better.
If You Suspect You Have Endometriosis
➼ Track your symptoms. Document pain severity, cycle timing and associated symptoms.
➼ Advocate clearly in appointments. Pain that disrupts daily life is not normal.
➼ Seek a specialist gynaecologist with experience in endometriosis.
➼ Do not accept dismissal without further investigation.
If Someone You Love Has Endometriosis
➼ Believe them. Pain that cannot be seen is still real.
➼ Avoid minimising language such as “everyone gets cramps.”
➼ Offer practical help during flare-ups, including meals, childcare, or simply rest support.
➼ Understand that fatigue and cancellations are not laziness but inflammatory exhaustion.
➼ Educate yourself. The emotional burden often includes having to constantly explain the disease.
In the Workplace
➼ Normalise conversations about menstrual health.
➼ Allow flexibility during flare-ups.
➼ Recognise that chronic conditions require ongoing management, not occasional sympathy.
➼ Support does not require medical expertise. It requires listening.
A UAE Lens
While regional data remains limited, global prevalence figures provided by WHO apply across populations. Women in the UAE face similar diagnostic delays and cultural barriers to discussing menstrual health.
Private healthcare access may be available, but specialist expertise in complex excision surgery varies. Increased awareness among both patients and practitioners is essential to reducing delay.
The conversation is growing. It needs to grow faster.
The Takeaway
Endometriosis affects one in ten women.
It takes nearly a decade to diagnose.
There is no cure.
Yet it remains under-recognised and underfunded.
If there is one takeaway this month, it is this: severe menstrual pain is not something to endure in silence.
The earlier endometriosis is recognised, the earlier care can begin. And earlier care changes outcomes.
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