A gentle guide to endometriosis: what to know, where to start, and why you’re not alone

Endometriosis is no joke. But sometimes laughter is how we get through it anyway. This World Endometriosis Awareness Day, we’re sharing a conversation with two incredible members of our community, Lexi Coons and Michaela Devaughan - friends of the brand, endo warriors, and proof that honesty, humour and having someone who gets it can make even the hardest days feel a little lighter.

This is video of a story about friendship, symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, and why being believed matters more than we talk about. There are laughs. There are hard truths. And there are moments we wish more people understood. Because 1 in 10 women live with endometriosis. And far too many live with it silently.

Today (and every day) we stand with everyone navigating the pain, the appointments, the “it’s probably just period pain”conversations, and the strength it takes to keep advocating for your own body.

If you see yourself in any part of this story, we hope this guide helps you feel a little more informed, a little more supported, and a lot less alone.

So, what actually is endometriosis?

Endometriosis (or endo, as many people call it) is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.

Which, frankly, sounds unfair. Because it is.

It can cause:

Pelvic pain
Very painful periods
Pain during or after sex
Bloating (often called "endo belly")
Fatigue
Digestive issues
Fertility challenges for some people

And importantly: it can look completely different from person to person.

Which is one of the reasons it can take years to diagnose. (On average, around 7–8 years in the UK.)

Yes. Years.

Signs you shouldn’t ignore

We’re not here to diagnose anyone. But we are here to say this:

Pain that stops you living your normal life deserves attention.

Some signs worth discussing with a healthcare professional include:

Period pain that stops you working or socialising
Pain that isn’t helped by usual pain relief
Symptoms that are getting worse over time
Pain outside your period
Being repeatedly told it’s "normal" when it doesn’t feel normal

You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels off, it’s worth asking questions. Even if you have to ask more than once. Especially then.

If you think you might have endometriosis

A gentle place to start could be:

Keeping a symptom diary
Noting how pain affects your daily life (not just pain level)
Taking notes to appointments (because brain fog is real)
Taking someone with you if you want support
Asking what the next step is if you don’t feel heard

Advocating for yourself can feel exhausting. But you shouldn’t have to do it alone.

Accounts doing incredible work in the endometriosis space

Sometimes the best information comes from people who live it every day. These are some voices doing amazing work raising awareness and sharing helpful resources:

Instagram:

@lexicoons

@yhkayla

@endometriosis.uk

@endogirlsblog

@thisendolife

@endometriosisfoundation

Helpful organisations & websites:

Endometriosis UK → https://www.endometriosis-uk.org

The Endometriosis Foundation → https://www.endofound.org

NHS information → https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/

(If you’re struggling, Endometriosis UK also runs support networks so you can talk to people who really understand.)