Endometriosis Awareness Month – March 2026

March marks Endometriosis Awareness Month – a time to shine a light on a condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women, yet is still widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed. It is estimated that around half of the UK population are unaware of this life-changing condition.

On average, there is a 9-year delay in diagnosing endometriosis, which is why raising awareness is essential.

Greater awareness helps to:

Encourage earlier diagnosis
Reduce stigma around menstrual health
Improve access to specialist care
Drive funding for research

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, usually on organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and bowel.

It can be extremely painful and can have a devastating impact on a woman’s quality of life.

Endometriosis can cause:

Severe period pain and heavy periods
Chronic pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
Fatigue
Fertility challenges

It may also cause difficulty in getting pregnant, and many women experience low mood or anxiety as a result of living with the condition.

How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

It can take a long time to diagnose endometriosis. This is because the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, including:

Adenomyosis
Fibroids
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Irritable bowel syndrome

Tests used to diagnose endometriosis can include:

Ultrasound scan – this may be carried out on the abdomen or internally (transvaginal scan)
MRI scan
Laparoscopy, where a camera is passed through a small incision in the abdomen to look inside the pelvis

Treatment Options

The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood and there is currently no cure. However, treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Treatment options may include:

Pain relief medication
Hormonal treatments, such as the contraceptive pill
Surgery to remove areas of endometriosis

Surgery may also be considered if endometriosis is affecting fertility or if other treatments have not been effective.

Help and Support

Endometriosis can be a difficult condition to live with, both physically and emotionally.

Support organisations can provide valuable information and guidance. These include:

Endometriosis UK
The Endometriosis Foundation

Further information can be found at:

Endometriosis UK The Endometriosis Foundation

How We Can Help

In some cases, a significant delay in diagnosing endometriosis may result from failures in medical care, such as not investigating symptoms appropriately or failing to refer a patient for specialist assessment.

If you or a loved one believe you may have experienced a significant delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis, our specialist team can advise you on your options and whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Call us on 0151 306 3694 to discuss making a claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.

0151 306 3694

March 2026 is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.

You can read our articles to learn more about these conditions and when medical negligence may occur: