New Zealand women living with endometriosis face an ongoing battle as they navigate through their daily life with this debilitating condition. Often described as a hidden illness, it can take an average of 8-10 years for a person to be diagnosed with endometriosis in New Zealand. Once diagnosed, women face many challenges, including managing pain, navigating treatment options, and dealing with the physical and emotional impact the condition has on their lives. In this article, we delve deeper into the ongoing struggles that New Zealand women with endometriosis face and the importance of finding support and resources to manage the condition.
Endometriosis: The Ongoing Challenges Faced by Women
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects women and those assigned female at birth. Symptoms of the disease include pelvic pain, period pain, subfertility, and infertility. Despite being a common disease that affects one in ten women globally, endometriosis remains one of the most under-diagnosed and poorly understood diseases, with an average diagnosis time of eight years.
Women with endometriosis face ongoing challenges in managing their condition, including exhausting sick leave, having to pay for private medical procedures, and being given outdated information by healthcare professionals. Those with endometriosis often experience severe pain and discomfort during menstruation, which can be debilitating and cause them to miss work or social events. The intense pain associated with endometriosis is often dismissed as normal cramps, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and mistreatment.
Endometriosis is not only a physical but also a mental burden, as it can cause depression, anxiety, and social isolation, especially when sufferers are unable to carry on with the normal activities due to pain. The significant impact on the quality of life is evident in interviews with women living with endometriosis, who talk about the way it has impacted their relationships, careers, and mental health.
Despite ongoing societal pressures to face painful menstruation and symptoms, advocates for endometriosis are pushing for greater awareness and funding for research and treatment options. They are calling for a coordinated national action plan to change the way the health care system responds to women with endometriosis, with a focus on improving diagnostic processes, treatment options, and preventative measures.
The story is part of the In-Depth project “The Deadline,” produced by RNZ’s Charlie Dreaver with videographer Cole Eastham-Farrelly. The project seeks to highlight stories that are important to New Zealanders while providing in-depth reporting on issues that matter. The video report provides insights into the lives of women struggling with endometriosis while also informing the public about the need for better awareness, screening and diagnosis.
In conclusion, the ongoing challenges faced by New Zealand women with endometriosis are significant and cannot be ignored. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of this condition is immense, and it is essential to increase awareness and understanding to support those affected. It is our responsibility as a society to ensure that women with endometriosis have access to the medical care and support they need to manage their symptoms effectively. By working together to raise awareness and advocate for better care, we can improve the quality of life for those living with endometriosis and ultimately help them thrive.
