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If there’s one thing women and couples with infertility value, it’s the importance of community support. All the technology in the world cannot provide the emotional, mental, and energetic support that family, friends, and those with similar experiences can provide. If you want to make a difference in our community, consider participating in the Endomarch 2014 and help to make a difference around the world.
The Worldwide Endo March is taking place in more than 53 cities around the globe, including Washington D.C., on March 13, 2013. You can use this link to find a team to join or start a team of your own! This is the first of what we expect will be an international annual event.
The founders of the Endometriosis Worldwide March, also dubbed the Million Woman March, is three-fold:
- Empower. They want to unite women and the people who love them to take a stand and put an end to the debilitating consequences of endometriosis.
- Educate. So many of the issues surrounding female reproductive organs are considered “female problems” and are swept under the mat of secrecy, embarrassment and even shame. It’s time to get the word out there, spread awareness, and inspire medical professionals to detect, diagnose and treat endometriosis as early as possible.
- Effect Change. In order to effect change, the founds of the Endomarch 2014 would like to create less invasive diagnostic procedures, search for more concrete causes and cures, and work with the government and congress to allocate funding towards endometriosis research.
In addition to causing a veritable laundry list of side effects and symptoms, endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility. It occurs when the cells that comprise the lining of the uterus begin to grow outside of the uterine walls. These cells can attach almost anywhere on an around the reproductive organs, the abdominal cavity, and have even been found on the lungs and in the brain.
When it’s time for a woman to menstruate, these cells are ready to evacuate the body, similar to the regular cells in the uterine lining. As the body has no regular means of doing so, women can experience mild to severe discomfort, typically in the form of pelvic and/or abdominal pain. Women with endometriosis frequently have irregular menstrual cycles. Severe endometriosis leads to chronic inflammation and scarring.
The causes of endometriosis are unknown although the more research that is done, the more facts the scientific and medical community are able to corroborate. For example, your chances of developing endometriosis at some point in your life are increased if:
- You are Caucasian
- Your physique is tall and slender
- You have had previous pelvic or abdominal surgery, including a C-section
- You waited until later in life to have your first child
- You are in your reproductive years, most symptoms of endometriosis disappear after menopause
- There is a family history of endometriosis
It is the hope that further funding of endometriosis research will shed light on this serious condition that affects approximately 1 million women in the United States.
Supporting Women with Endometriosis Matters – Show Your Sisters Some Love
Whether you have endometriosis or not, odds are you understand the trials and tribulations of reproductive disorders and infertility. Show your sisters support by joining an Endomarch team this year. Travel with a group of friends using these generous travel discounts. Or, contact the event organizers to bring the Endometriosis Worldwide March to a city near you next year.
Isn’t education and awareness the solution to virtually all of the world’s problems? Infertility is no exception. Do you suspect you may have endometriosis? Make an appointment with your healthcare provider so you can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, or begin working with a fertility specialist if your endometriosis is making it difficult for you to conceive. Together, we can all make a difference in one another’s’ lives.