Endometriosis is a chronic illness - an inflammatory systemic illness which has been recognized by the NHS as one of the world’s twenty most painful conditions. Affecting around 200 million biological women worldwide, with symptoms ranging from debilitating menstrual cramps to respiratory issues and neuropathy, dubbed the “silent epidemic”, it’s an illness that you would think is getting a lot of attention, with the hunt for a cure being ongoing and urgent. You would be wrong to think that. Endometriosis is instead an extremely under-researched condition, with severe neglect visible both in the mistreatment of patients and the lack of education provided to the doctors. How is this possible? Well, the illness is… “a female problem”.

In this class, we will take a look at the barriers to endometriosis research and care and distinguish between medical and cultural roadblocks. We will tackle concepts such as medical gaslighting, the gender pain gap, and gender bias in medicine. As we dismantle each issue, what will become apparent is that endometriosis lends itself as a case study for gender-based medical injustice: by understanding how endometriosis treatment, care, and research have come to be a poster child for medical neglect and medical misogyny, you will begin to understand the deeply rooted sexism which is at the core of the medical system, affecting you whether you realize it or not. A fight for endometriosis care is a fight for equal care. Medical misogyny is a feminist issue. Whether you have endometriosis or not, this class will provide you with the tools to navigate the healthcare system with more awareness and better ability to fight for your rights to be seen, heard, believed, and taken seriously by your healthcare provider independent of your sex or gender.

We are committed to making our sessions as accessible as possible. If you are unable to pay the full amount for this class, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] and we will provide you with a discount code.