Beneath the Surface: Endometriosis Awareness Month 2025
The Importance of Family and Friends Supporting Loved Ones with Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women globally, causing pelvic pain, fertility issues, and impacting mental health and daily life. The support of family, friends, and partners is crucial in managing the condition, providing empathy, understanding, and practical help.
Normalizing Menstrual Health Conversations
Family members can help by normalizing conversations about menstrual and reproductive health. As Lindelwa Mkhabela, a psychologist at Femicare, explains:
“Encourage parents to talk about menstrual health—not just using sanitary pads but understanding what menstrual health means. When we start having these conversations, it encourages consultations with gynaecologists early, normalizing it for women and girls.”
This shift can make it easier to seek medical help without stigma, leading to earlier intervention for conditions like endometriosis.
Encouraging Proactive Medical Care
Andri Albanis, an endometriosis patient, shares her advice:
“If you feel something is wrong, get it sorted straight away. You’re never too young to seek help. Don’t let anyone dismiss your symptoms.”
Support from family and partners is vital in empowering women to seek medical advice and navigate healthcare challenges. Being encouraged to find a doctor who listens can make a huge difference.
Partners: Key Players in Support
Partners play a significant role in providing emotional and practical support. Lindelwa Mkhabela advises couples to attend medical appointments together:
“Invite your partner to appointments. It helps them understand the condition, making support more organic and easier to offer.”
When partners are involved, they better understand their loved one’s physical and emotional struggles, leading to greater empathy and support.
The Importance of Empathy and Education
Endometriosis can be difficult for loved ones to fully understand. Andri Albanis encourages education:
“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram provide valuable content. It may sound strange, but a quick search can show that the pain is real.”
Education helps loved ones recognize the severity of the condition, offering support based on a deeper understanding.
Lindelwa Mkhabela cautions against over-generalising:
“Therapy may work for some but not others. Don’t overgeneralize—respect individual experiences and support your loved one in finding what works for them.”
Every person’s experience with endometriosis is unique, and personalized care is key to offering the best support.
Conclusion
Supporting a loved one with endometriosis involves understanding, empathy, and education. Normalizing health conversations, encouraging early medical care, and offering emotional support strengthens relationships and empowers those with the condition. Family and friends play a vital role in helping individuals with endometriosis feel less isolated and more empowered in their health journey. By offering support, we can help them take control of their well-being.
For more insightful health discussions and expert advice, visit HOT 102.7FM today. Watch the videos and read the text below for comprehensive insight from experts and patients about managing endometriosis.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Women and young girls are being encouraged to visit a gynaecologist sooner rather than later for guidance on managing their menstrual health. Endometriosis, a condition that affects one in ten women globally, is often misdiagnosed, leaving many women struggling for years before receiving the correct diagnosis.
Dr. Lusanda Shimange-Matsose, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist at MedFem, stresses the importance of early visits for girls and young women to understand their menstrual cycles.
“The earlier, the better. It’s important to understand your body and the changes that come with it as you grow. I’ve even seen patients as young as 8, before they’ve started menstruating, to prepare them for what’s to come,” says Dr. Shimange-Matsose.
Advancements in Diagnosis and Treatment
Misdiagnosis can take between 7-10 years, but thanks to advancements in ultrasound technology, the diagnostic process has become less invasive and time-consuming. Endometriosis can lead to painful periods, intercourse, and potential infertility.
Dr. Shimange-Matsose explains that treatment options depend on the severity of the condition: “If a patient experiences both pain and infertility, we often prioritize treating infertility first, as fertility has a time limit. It’s not that patients with endometriosis can’t conceive naturally — they can.
However, once diagnosed, they’re aware that conception may be more challenging. In such cases, we often recommend Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such as IVF.”
How a Gynaecologist Supports Mental Health in Endometriosis Treatment
Additionally, Lindelwa Mkhabela, a psychologist at Femicare, highlights the critical role mental well-being plays during treatment for endometriosis: “There’s an interconnected relationship between mental and physical health. A person’s response to medical treatments, like pain management, can be affected by their mental state.
If a patient is severely depressed or anxious, the effectiveness of the medication can be reduced. Anxiety or depression can often cause additional distress, making it harder for the body to respond to treatment.”
Final Thoughts
Managing endometriosis requires a holistic approach that considers both physical and mental well-being. Early intervention can have a big impact with the help of your gynaecologist. Prioritising medical care and emotional support can help patients get through their journey.
For more insightful health discussions and expert advice, visit HOT 102.7FM today.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Initial symptoms of endometriosis often include dysmenorrhea, or painful periods. Another symptom to watch for is dyspareunia, which refers to persistent or recurrent genital pain occurring before, during, or after intercourse.
Additionally, dysuria (pain during urination) and dyschezia (pain during defecation) are common signs of the condition.
Dr. Lusanda Shimange-Matsose, a gynecologist and fertility specialist at MedFem, stresses that when these symptoms begin to significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, seeking medical help is crucial.
“We always refer to the 4 D’s – you may experience all or just some of them. And sometimes, women aren’t even aware that these symptoms are problematic,” she explains.
“When I ask patients about painful periods, I also ask whether this pain interferes with their quality of life.”
How Endometriosis Awareness Month Encourages Early Medical Intervention
Dr. Lusanda Shimange-Matsose, a gynecologist and fertility specialist at MedFem, stresses that when these symptoms begin to significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, seeking medical help is crucial.
“We always refer to the 4 D’s – you may experience all or just some of them. And sometimes, women aren’t even aware that these symptoms are problematic,” she explains.
“When I ask patients about painful periods, I also ask whether this pain interferes with their quality of life.”
Read More: Steven Kitshoff Reflects on Retirement and Rugby Legacy
The Psychological Impact on Teenagers
Fertility psychologist Lindelwa Mkhabela, from Femicare Fertility, highlights the rising concerns surrounding teenagers with endometriosis in South Africa.
“We see many anxiety-related symptoms, especially in younger women. They often report worrying about the anticipated pain between cycles, with a lot of mental rumination about what might happen when the pain returns. This anxiety leads to a loss of function and contributes to panic-like symptoms.”
Final Thoughts
An important reminder of the impact that endometriosis has on millions of women is provided by Endometriosis Awareness Month. By raising awareness, we can help break the silence surrounding endometriosis and empower those affected to seek the care they need
Tune in to Hot 102.7 FM for expert discussions, personal stories and more insights on Endometriosis Awareness Month
Watch powerful testimonies from endometriosis patients and medical professionals about the symptoms.
