Endometriosis fact check

Outreach and Communications Officer and endometriosis sufferer Holly Nichols weighs in on womxn's health related misinformation in the mainstream media

So the last few days in the news have been very endometriosis-related, which is great considering it usually gets ZERO media attention.

However, as a sufferer myself who really knows the ins and outs of the disease, I can’t help but notice the ridiculous level of misinformation that has been spread by the BBC news and ITV in their coverage of the disease and how it develops. The main piece of information that needs fact-checking is the so-called “scientific” definition of the disease being pumped out by the media.

“Endometriosis occurs when cells from the uterus are found in other areas of the body, and bleed every month like a period, but have nowhere to go”

This is false information.

The cells that develop into endometriosis are not those found in the uterus, but different cells that shed in a similar way. It may seem like a small difference and an unimportant error, but descriptions of endometriosis such as the one above add to the narrative that it is “just a bad period”, when it is much more than that.

Another misinformed statement that seems to be common is the “cure” for endometriosis. Many media outlets are suggesting that hormonal treatment such as taking the contraceptive pill back-to-back, being induced into menopause, or even going under a full hysterectomy are all “cures” of endometriosis and prevent the disease from growing. These are merely treatment options to reduce symptoms, and do not stop the disease in any way in the long term.

There is no cure to this disease, but there is awareness and support that are vital to

fighting for more research into finding cures. Providing misinformation and

causing a lack of understanding of Endometriosis is not going to do anything

in the long term except make sufferers feel even more ignored and unheard.

Want to learn more about Endometriosis? follow Holly's Endometriosis Awareness Page on Instagram @educating.endo