Event spotlights neglect on endometriosis and women's health

An event focused on highlighting bias against women’s health and “painful stagnation” around endometriosis took place in Norden.

The recent Endometriosis Awareness North coffee morning at Norden Bowling Club was attended by Heywood and Middleton MP Elsie Blundell, and speaker Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE, a GP from Oldham who organised the first Covid vaccination clinic for the homeless during the pandemic.

Endometriosis affects one in ten women and is so physically and mentally wearing it costs women careers, relationships and even has them considering whether life is worth living at all.

One of the key topics discussed was how research shows no progress in treating the chronic condition in over a quarter of a century.

But visitors to the event, held at Norden Bowling Club were also left inspired by speaker Dr Chauhan. He said: “Like Endometriosis Awareness North our ambitions were big but we showed real determination to overcome any barrier.

“Endometriosis is a chronic condition often leading to severe pain, infertility, and fatigue. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can make a huge difference in managing symptoms, but awareness is key.”

The Endometriosis Awareness campaign was the brainchild of local GP and Rochdale charity campaigner, Dr Anita Sharma.

Two of its ambassadors, Claire Warburton and Siobhan Kennett, both hooked-up with the concern at the last coffee morning in March.

The fact that the latter was unable to attend this event was a reminder of the condition’s impact.

Siobhan said: “Endo is a daily grind of pain and tiredness, and this is compounded by a lack of understanding not just from the public, but medics, too.

“The last meeting at least let me know I am not alone and that there is a small but mighty local campaign fighting to raise awareness.

“The fact that we have been backed by Mayor Burnham and now Dr Chauhan and my own MP is a massive boost in getting the word out there about better understanding and quicker diagnosis.”

Dr Sharma concluded: “Nationally, Governments and other decision makers have left women in pain and misery for over 25 years, and we are no better at dealing with it than we were in the last century! This is not good enough.

“Those with endo speak of a state of hopelessness but I firmly believe that the borough of Rochdale can become a beacon for them and that this gathering signals the beginning of the end for ignorance around endometriosis.”

Learn more about Endometriosis Awareness North at: https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com