Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people who menstruate, nearly 190 million worldwide.  Yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed women’s health conditions.  In this episode of The Fifth Wave, public health Dr. Martina Alberani, women’s health advocate Maggie Archibald and Jocelynn Cook of the SOGC break down what endometriosis is, why severe period pain is not normal, and how stigma, a lack of education and long surgical wait times keep millions suffering, many in silence.  This episode exposes the systemic barriers that prevent early diagnosis and effective care.  Our guests also outline the critical reforms needed, like better menstrual education, improved physician training, expanded surgical capacity and national policy change.  

Key takeaways: 

• Endometriosis is common, but chronically dismissed.  Symptoms often mimic other conditions, like IBS and bladder issues.  With no simple test and ongoing stigma around menstruation, diagnosis can take 5-12  years. 
• Lack of education fuels delayed care.  Many adolescents grow up believing debilitating period pain is just a part of life.  Clinicians often receive too little training, and imaging frequently misses the disease. 
• System level change is essential.  Experts call for better surgical access, updated wait time strategies, stronger medical training, menstrual health education and investment in women’s health research, which still makes up only 7% of Canada’s research funding.  

The thing thing you really NEED to know: 
Severe period pain is NOT normal.  If your pain disrupts school, work, or daily life, it deserves medical attention, and could be endometriosis. 

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Guest Info/CTAs/Resources (pertaining to the episode)     

• Jocelynn Cook, Chief Scientific Officer for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada     
• Dr. Martina Alberani, public health resident and chair of the Young Women’s Health Group; LinkedIn Profile     
• Maggie Archibald, women’s health advocate LinkedIn Profile     
• Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO, IWK Foundation; LinkedIn Profile

Resources:
The Endometrosis Network Canada
yourperiod.ca