Image credit: Monash University

It’s that time of year again where I present my annual endometriosis summary. This is by no means an exhaustive list- but just an overview of events and publications which have caught my eye over the year as being particularly meaningful.
While 2016 has been a rather unfortunate and turbulent year (globally and personally for myself), it has been an excellent one for endometriosis awareness, which is certainly worthy of celebration.

January
-Singer Halsey opens up to fans on Twitter about living with endometriosis, to much praise and publicity.

February
-Writer and actress Lena Dunham pulls out of the Girls promotional tour and talks openly about her experiences with endometriosis.
-Australian advocate Sylvia Freedman asks: With endometriosis, shouldn’t ”let’s get you well” come before ”lets get you pregnant?”
-Young ambassador to Endometriosis UK Alice featured on BBC Newsbeat.

March
-The Worldwide EndoMarch (founded by Camran Nezhat) took place, and was the biggest ever. I marched in London with friends from my support group, my mum, my husband, and Dr Martin Hirsch from Queen Mary University who is researching endometriosis.
-The Endo What? documentary premiered in the US. This is the most important film to be made about endometriosis to date and a really powerful tool to help women take control of their bodies. Premiers followed in London and throughout the world.
-The Primrose Ball took place in Leeds, UK to raise funds and awareness.
-New research linked endometriosis to an increased risk of heart disease.

April
-The Huffington Post featured an article about typical endometriosis symptoms that doctors frequently overlook.
-The 8th Annual Blossom Ball was held in New York City, and was attended by a host of celebrity guests including Susan Sarandon, Lena Dunham, and organiser Padma Laskshmi.
-The seventh annual Endofound medical conference was held in the US. You can watch endometriosis advocate Abby Norman’s talk back here.

May
–She Knows published an article about common misconceptions relating to endometriosis.

June
-Star-Wars star Daisy Ridley opened up about her struggles with endometriosis.
-Celebrity Love Island’s Zara Holland shared her battle with the disease.
–iNews published a post about how the NHS is denying proper care to women with endometriosis.
-Carol Pearson shared some of her story with the Daily Mail to highlight the high level of misdiagnosis in women with endometriosis.
-Padma Lakshmi is nominated for a ‘health heroes’ award by WebMD for her work with Endofound.

July
-Endometriosis sufferer Niamh Spence told the Daily Mail about how the disease impacts on her life and her fertility.
-The Phendo app (from the Citizen Endo Project) became available to download on iPhones.

August
-I wrote an article about my experience of endometriosis for the International Business Times, following Olympic swimmer’s Fu Yuanhui’s comments that she under-performed because of period pain.
-Oh, and I also went on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ to talk about menstrual leave. You can watch back here.
-Endo What? creator and director Shannon Cohn tells The Mighty site why misdiagnosing endometriosis as period pain needs to stop.

September
-Australian radio presenter Mel Greig opened up to the Daily Mail about how endometriosis has led to painful sex for her.
-A research study finds that CA-125 can act as a non-invasive diagnostic marker of endometriosis for some women.
–BBC Radio 5 Live feature endometriosis in a discussion about managing period pain at work. You can listen back here if you’re in the UK.

October
– I walked 23 miles (!!!) across London with my support group friends Rosie and Jess, as part of Endometriosis UK’s ‘Mad Pants X London Challenge’. 
–Cosmopolitan magazine publish a large multi-page feature about endometriosis.

Image credit: Endometriosis UK

November
-Endometriosis UK hold their first black tie Gala dinner in London to raise funds and awareness. I was there and it was an excellent evening!
-The Revelist published a post by women with endometriosis (including myself) explaining what they wish people understood about living with the disease.
-Loose Women’s Andrea McLean takes time off the show to have a hysterectomy.

December
-Endometriosis hormonal treatments were discussed on BBC Radio Four’s PM with Eddie Mair. You can listen back here if you’re in the UK.
-Health minister Jill Hennessy of Victoria, Australia launches the country’s first set of evidence-based endometriosis resources, as described in the Guardian.
-UK MP asks a question in parliament about endometriosis information available in schools.
-Endometriosis expert Dr Tamer Seckin features on Second Opinion (PBS).

Not a bad year at all eh? And I’m aware of many exciting projects in the pipeline that I think is going to make 2017 even better for the endometriosis community. If you think I have heinously overlooked any articles and/or events, please do drop me a message and I will be very happy to add them into this post.

I’d love to hear what has been your endometriosis highlight of 2016- either public or personal.
All that’s now left for me to do is to wish a Happy New Year to you all! Lets hope 2017 is the best and luckiest year yet for all of us.

Love,
Claire
xxx