Our recent report shows that it unfortunately takes an average of over 8 years to get diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK...that's far too long!
Aim to walk over 8,000 steps a day this July to support the 1in10 with endometriosis.
This summer, put on your walking shoes, grab your sunhat, and get outdoors to support the 1in10 with endometriosis who wait an average of over 8 years to get a diagnosis. Aim to walk over 8,000 steps a day to represent the waiting times.
You can walk on your own, with your dog, with friends and family, or even get your workplace involved. If over 8,000 steps a day feels too much, why not organise a relay and take turns!?
How to get involved
- Click here to sign up 🖱️
- Order your Endometriosis UK T-shirt or limited-edition Walk for Endo Anniversary T-Shirt* 👕
- Set up a Just Giving page.
- Walk over 8,000 steps a day throughout July to raise vital funds for those suffering from endometriosis.
- Keep cool in the sun with an Endometriosis UK water pouch! We'll automatically send you a water pouch once you've raised your first £25 in online donations.
- Raise awareness and tell everyone why you're Walking for Endo this summer.
*Oops, we made a mistake. These t-shirts have been printed with a starting date of 2019 instead of 2020. To avoid waste, we are offering them to anyone interested at a lower price of £6.50 including postage. You can opt for our original t-shirt or other merchandise instead if you prefer.
Here is Jessica's story;
I was twelve years old when I had my first period. It was normal, lasted four days and wasn’t heavy or that painful. That was the last time I had a normal period.
I had to wait another six months before I had my next period, which I was told was normal, to be irregular when you’re just starting out. The next two weeks was hell, I had not long turned thirteen but I was bed bound. It was heavy, I couldn’t walk for so much pain. It was like I had been stabbed everyday for two weeks.
My mum took me to the doctors and said this isn’t normal. They put me on the pill and said to come back IF it didn’t get better.
It didn’t get better, it purely made my period last a week but still be as painful and heavy. It started to affect school, and my mental health. I would have to pack extra tights and underwear because I was heavy.
It was a huge back and forth between the doctors, saying I was too young, it would regulate itself.
It wasn’t until I was 18 they sent me for my first ultrasound. There was nothing on the scan, so it was back to square one. They did refer me to the gynaecologist, and she said it was possibly PCOS. However, over my whole journey there has been a lack of willing to help me, the pain is in my head, I just need to wait. I know I am not the only woman to experience this, but for the last ten years, I have felt incredibly alone. And I have had to fight tooth and nail to get my answers.
I am now twenty one, and am only in the early days of receiving my diagnosis, and it is an incredibly emotional experience. I feel vindicated, but also drained because it has took me almost ten years to get here.
I urge everyone who has abnormal periods, don’t stop fighting until you get your answers.
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WAIT THAT LONG FOR A DIAGNOSIS. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO DRIVE REAL CHANGE FOR THE ENDOMETRIOSIS COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GETS THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME.
For more information on the symptoms of endometriosis click here.
