Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith has pledged his support for Endometriosis Awareness Month this March, helping raise awareness of the debilitating condition that affects 1 in 10 women.

This year Endometriosis UK has launched new education material with the Royal College of GPs to support GPs in a bid to better diagnose the condition.

Nick Smith MP said: “I’m proud to be supporting endometriosis awareness month and helping to raise awareness of this debilitating condition.

“Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and despite affecting a similar number of women as diabetes, the condition is relatively unheard of.

“Endometriosis can take several years to diagnose and costs the UK economy £8.2bn a year in treatment, loss of work, and healthcare costs.
“I’m delighted to be working with Endometriosis UK to urge the Government to help improve awareness of, and research into, endometriosis.”

Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK added: “Endometriosis UK is delighted to be working with MPs from across all parties to raise awareness of endometriosis during awareness month and beyond.

“We are grateful to MPs for recognising the critical role they play in ensuring women do not suffer in silence with conditions such as endometriosis; helping drive down diagnosis time which currently averages at an alarming 7.5 years.

“Endometriosis UK has welcomed the news that menstrual wellbeing will be included in the new Relationship & Sex Education curriculum and will be compulsory to teach all children in both primary and secondary education. This change will help overcome the taboo and embarrassment around periods, as well as equipping girls with the knowledge of what is and isn’t normal for their menstrual cycle, and in turn the confidence to seek help when it is needed. Importantly, they will also know the correct language to communicate with their parents or medical practitioners.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see the shift in conversation around menstrual conditions in Parliament, and we look forward to continuing this work to help ensure every person suffering from endometriosis is given the right treatment at the right time.”

For more information on Endometriosis Awareness Month, visit: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/