Oldham walkers help raise awareness of endometriosis

Walkers from Oldham risked biting crisp weather to band together and pound around a park to aid women with endometriosis.

Affecting one-in-ten females of childbearing age, the condition blights women from all walks of life, including Endometriosis Awareness North ambassador and nurse, Lucy Bowker.

And yet while it takes its physical and mental toll on 176 million sufferers worldwide, diagnosis can take almost a decade in poorer areas and medical staff struggle to understand what endometriosis is.

Which is why Lucy once had her appendix removed because doctors confused it with a case of peritonitis!

“One of the most important reasons we organised a team of walkers was to show patients they are not alone, and that somebody cares for them,” said Oldham-based Dr Anita Sharma, founder of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity.

“The fact that this group was led by Lucy and included her baby also sent out powerful messages.

"You are able to have something approaching a normal life with support, and childbirth can be achieved even when you have endo.”

The walk around Queens Park in Heywood was held as part of Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Funds collected by the team throughout March will go towards care for sufferers and their families, plus research into a condition which is caused when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Despite a chill wind, the team received a warm welcome from a public who are slowly becoming more aware of what the condition is.

Dr Sharma added: “After a year of campaigning, I do believe that more people than ever know that endo is a gynaecological condition which causes bleeding and significant pain.

"What they don’t know is that it also brings with it desperate mental health problems and a tremendous feeling of isolation.”

Celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Emma Bunton, and Naga Munchetty (who has adenomyosis, dubbed endo’s “bad cousin”) have all come forward to help raise awareness of endometriosis.

Now, says Dr Sharma, it is time for practical action on supporting sufferers and crucially, finding a cure.

She concluded: “Too often women’s health conditions have fallen behind with endo being a classic example.

"Despite being so prevalent and so many alternative medications being touted, research has been pitiful in comparison to that around male health conditions.

"As our team proved recently, it is time to get on the march and step-up finding a cure for this horrific condition.”

Meanwhile, as part of Endometriosis Awareness Month, the local charity is organising a coffee morning, with experts and those living with endo, taking place at:

Norden Bowling Club

Trinity Street, Rochdale

OL12 7RD ·

March 23, 2024

Drop-in from 10am

Learn more about Endometriosis Awareness North by clicking here

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