Major high street store offers free specialist in-person nurse appointments this endometriosis awareness month

• Holland & Barrett have partnered with The Endometriosis Foundation to raise awareness of endometriosis.
• An estimated 1.5 million patients in the UK live with the painful condition.
• The average delay to get an endometriosis diagnosis has increased.

This March, for Endometriosis Awareness Month, The Endometriosis Foundation have partnered with Holland and Barrett to deliver free in-person nurse appointments for anyone who is struggling with symptoms.

The painful condition is experienced by 1.5million in the UK, with the latest research finding that the delay to access a diagnosis has increased. Patients now wait on average nine years and four months to get answers, up from an average of eight years previously in 2020. Whilst those from ethnically diverse communities have an even longer average wait of 11 years.

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Carla Cressy OBE, founder and CEO of The Endometriosis Foundation, said, “For too long, endometriosis has been perceived as nothing more than ‘just a painful period’, when in reality painful periods are only one symptom of a complex, whole-body condition.

“Endometriosis can impact every area of a person’s life, yet so many are left questioning whether what they’re experiencing is ‘normal’. If something doesn’t feel right, you deserve to be heard. And through our Menstrual Nurse service, we’re here to offer a safe, supportive space to help people understand their symptoms and feel confident seeking the right care, the kind of support I wish I’d had years ago.”

Holland and Barrett offer a menstrual health helpline, which includes a free 15-minute video consultation with a specialist nurse from The Endometriosis Foundation. Support is also available for those living with other chronic conditions, such as PCOS and fibroids.

This March, to mark endometriosis awareness month, there will also be in-person appointments available on Wednesday, March 18, in Chelmsford and on Tuesday, March 24, in Edinburgh.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a systemic inflammatory condition where cells similar to the lining of the uterus are found elsewhere in the body. It can cause debilitating symptoms, including painful periods, painful bowel movements, painful urination, pain during or after sex and infertility.

The time it takes to access a diagnosis has soared, with patients in England now waiting nine years and four months get answers, up from an average of eight years, patients in Scotland now waiting an average of 10 years and two months, up from eight years and 10 months; patients in Northern Ireland now waiting nine years and 10 months, up from nine years and four months, and patients in Wales still waiting nine years and 11 months.

If you have been affected by the content of this article or suspect you may have endometriosis, you can find out more about the signs and symptoms and what support is available at The Endometriosis Foundation.