March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to bringing attention to a condition that affects about 1 in 10 people born with uteruses worldwide. Although endometriosis is common, it remains widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and frequently dismissed as simply “bad period cramps”.
For many people just the act of recognizing that severe menstrual pain is not normal can be a very important step towards understanding their health and reaching out to healthcare professionals.
Learning about endometriosis symptoms, seeking medical guidance, and creating an open, safe space to have conversations around menstrual health can help people receive the care and validation they deserve.
So What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This endometriosis tissue can be found in places such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, other pelvic organs, and in some severe cases can extend to grow beyond the pelvic area. Like the tissue of the uterine lining, this tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. However, because it cannot exit the body, like the tissue inside the uterus does, it can cause inflammation, irritation, and sometimes scar tissue. Over time, this may lead to chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and other severe complications.
Although endometriosis is common and affects millions of people globally, it can take years for many individuals to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Common Endometriosis Symptoms
One reason endometriosis is difficult to diagnose is that symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some people experience intense pain, while others may have mild or less noticeable symptoms.
Common symptoms of endometriosis may include:
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Painful periods
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Chronic pelvic pain or lower back pain
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Heavy menstrual bleeding
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Digestive symptoms such as bloating, nausea, or painful bowel movements
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Pain during or after sex
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Fatigue
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Fertility challenges
It is important to keep in mind when thinking about endometriosis pain that the amount of pain someone experiences does not always reflect the severity of the condition within the body. Some people with extensive tissue growth may feel very little pain while those with less visible endometriosis tissue experience debilitating symptoms.
Because of this, many people spend years searching for answers before receiving an endometriosis diagnosis.
Why Endometriosis Awareness Matters, Not Just In March, But Always
Even though endometriosis affects an estimated 190 million people worldwide, the condition remains underfunded and under-researched compared to many other chronic illnesses.
Historically, menstrual pain has often been normalized or dismissed, contributing to long delays in diagnosis and treatment, which in turn may lead to symptoms worsening due to being left untreated.
Raising awareness about endometriosis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options can help people recognize when their experiences may require medical attention. Awareness also helps reduce the stigma and encourages conversations about menstrual health that many people were taught to avoid
I recently came across one powerful example of this growing awareness after watching this year's British Academy Film Awards where the award for Best British Short Film went to a film titled This Is Endometriosis.
The Story Behind This Is Endometriosis
The project began as a photography series created by photographer Georgie Wileman, who lives with both endometriosis and adenomyosis.
While searching online for information about living with endometriosis, Wileman noticed that most media coverage used polished stock images that did not reflect the reality she and many others were experiencing. Wileman describes that the images often showed “a woman with her hair and makeup done, a slightly pained expression on her face whilst she held her stomach” which is a far cry from the reality of severe pain, intensive surgeries, and mobility challenges that Wileman faces.
Determined to change that narrative, Wileman began documenting her own experience through a photography series of deeply personal self-portraits. As the project grew, others in the endometriosis community joined, creating a powerful collection of visual representations of the condition and the strength of those living with it.
The movement quickly spread online under the hashtag #thisisendometriosis with people around the world sharing their own stories of chronic pelvic pain, delayed diagnosis, and resilience.
From Photography to a BAFTA-Winning Short Film
The project eventually expanded into the short film This Is Endometriosis directed by Georgie Wileman and Matt Houghton. The film was developed during the global pandemic on Zoom through a collaboration of volunteers and advocates within the endometriosis community.
The film explores more than a decade of Wileman’s life living with endometriosis, taking on a unique documentary structure that reflects the reality of living with a chronic illness. Journalist Sara Smith describes the film as “striking in its insistence that chronic pain cannot be communicated through conventional documentary structure. Time fractures, loops back, blurs between memory and present – because that is precisely how endometriosis is lived”. The film shows how years can blur and be shaped by cycles of pain, treatment, and recovery.
Wileman’s striking photography, self-documented footage, and family archives appear throughout the film, layered with her personal narrative, creating a unique visual experience that is often difficult to explain. The film is a truly beautiful testament to the resilience of those living with endometriosis and other chronic illnesses.
At the 2026 British Academy Film Awards the film received international recognition when it won the BAFTA Award for the Best British Short Film, helping bring greater attention to the realities of the condition and the importance of endometriosis advocacy and education.
Listening to Your Body
Perhaps the most important message I want to convey during Endometriosis Awareness Month is simple: your pain is valid, you are not being dramatic, and you are not alone.
If you experience severe period pain, chronic pelvic discomfort, or other unusual menstrual symptoms, it's worth discussing with a healthcare provider. Persistent period pain is not normal and not something you should have to just live with.
Greater awareness, better education, and open conversations about menstrual health and endometriosis can help ensure that more people receive the care, understanding, and support they deserve.
If you are living with endometriosis, know that you are not alone and your experience matters.
