For a condition that affects around 1 in 10 women, endometriosis is still wildly misunderstood.
Many women live with symptoms for years (sometimes decades), before getting answers. Pain is dismissed. Symptoms are minimised. And far too often, women are told that what they’re experiencing is “just bad periods.”
March is Endometriosis Action Month, and it exists for one reason:
to move the conversation beyond awareness and into understanding, validation, and actionable steps/support.
What Is Endometriosis, Really?
Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Commonly on the ovaries, pelvic lining, bladder, bowel, and/or ligaments surrounding the uterus.
This tissue responds to hormonal signals (especially estrogen), just like uterine tissue does. But because it’s growing where it shouldn’t, it can trigger inflammation, scarring, adhesions, and significant pain.
Endometriosis doesn’t look the same in every body. Some women experience debilitating pain.
Others have milder symptoms, or none at all. Some only discover it while investigating fertility challenges. All of these experiences are valid.
Why Endometriosis Is So Often Missed
On average, it takes 7–10 years to receive a diagnosis.
Why?
Because:
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Pain in women is often normalised or dismissed
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Symptoms overlap with IBS, ovarian cysts, or pelvic infections
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Imaging doesn’t always show lesions clearly
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The gold standard for diagnosis is still laparoscopy (surgery)
Many women are told their pain is stress, anxiety, or “part of being a woman”, until it becomes impossible to ignore.
Endometriosis Action Month exists to change that narrative.
The Different Types of Endometriosis
Endometriosis isn’t one-size-fits-all. Clinically, it’s often grouped into a few types:
Superficial peritoneal endometriosis
The most common form, where lesions grow on the pelvic lining.
Endometriomas (ovarian cysts)
Sometimes called “chocolate cysts,” these are fluid-filled cysts that develop on the ovaries.
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE)
Where tissue grows deeper into surrounding organs like the bowel or bladder. This form is often associated with more severe symptoms.
The type doesn’t always predict the severity of pain, which is one reason diagnosis can be so complex.
Common Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms can include:
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Severe period pain (often worsening over time)
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Pelvic, abdominal, or lower back pain
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Pain during or after sex
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Pain with bowel movements or urination
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Heavy or prolonged periods
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Bloating, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea
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Fatigue
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Difficulty conceiving
Some women experience pain only during menstruation. Others feel it throughout the month.
And importantly: severity of pain does not equal severity of disease.
The Estrogen–Inflammation Connection
One of the most important (and least explained) aspects of endometriosis is this:
Endometriosis is estrogen-driven and inflammation-fuelled.
Estrogen encourages the growth of endometrial-like tissue. Inflammation keeps lesions active and painful.
This is why many women with endometriosis also experience:
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Estrogen dominance
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Poor estrogen detoxification
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Heightened inflammatory responses
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Sensitivity to environmental estrogen-like compounds
This also helps explain why everyday exposures to endocrine disruptors like , synthetic fragrances and plastics can worsen symptoms for some women. Over time, these exposures add to the body’s estrogen load.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There is no single confirmed cause, but research suggests a combination of factors:
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Retrograde menstruation (menstrual tissue flowing back into the pelvic cavity)
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Genetic predisposition
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Immune system dysfunction (difficulty clearing misplaced tissue)
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Hormonal imbalances
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Chronic inflammation
What’s important to know:
Endometriosis is not caused by lifestyle mistakes. But lifestyle support can make a meaningful difference.
Endometriosis and Fertility
Endometriosis is one of the leading contributors to infertility, though many women with mild to moderate endometriosis can and do conceive naturally.
Endometriosis may affect fertility by:
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Blocking or distorting the fallopian tubes
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Disrupting ovulation
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Increasing inflammation around the ovaries and uterus
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Affecting egg or sperm quality
Supportive care is often about reducing inflammation, improving hormone balance, and supporting detox pathways alongside medical guidance.
Managing Endometriosis: A Whole-Body Approach
There is no single cure for endometriosis, but there are ways to support the body and reduce symptom burden.
Medical care may include pain management, hormonal therapy, or surgery. But many women also benefit from long-term lifestyle and nutritional support, especially between medical interventions.
Lifestyle Support That Matters
Nutrition
Many women find relief by:
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Reducing trans fats and ultra-processed foods
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Supporting gut health
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Increasing omega-3 intake
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Exploring a gentle remove–reintroduce approach to identify triggers
There is no universal “endo diet”, your body is the best guide.
Movement
Regular, gentle movement helps:
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Reduce inflammation
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Improve circulation
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Lower stress hormones
Yoga, walking, and low-impact strength work are often well tolerated.
Stress support
Chronic stress amplifies inflammation and pain sensitivity.
Nutritional Support for Estrogen & Inflammation
Because endometriosis is closely linked to estrogen dominance, inflammation, and impaired detoxification, targeted nutritional support can be helpful alongside medical care.
The Jooce Endometriosis & Fibroids Bundle was created with this exact foundation in mind.
What’s Inside (And Why It Matters)
Pure Inositol Powder (40:1 Myo- to D-Chiro Inositol)
Supports insulin sensitivity, ovulation, and progesterone production. This helps to counterbalance estrogen dominance and stress-driven flares.
Estro Balance (DIM)
Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and detoxification pathways, encouraging estrogen to move through more protective routes.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Boosts glutathione (your body’s master antioxidant), supports detoxification, and helps reduce oxidative stress linked to endometriosis lesions.
Curcumin
A powerful anti-inflammatory that supports pain reduction, pelvic inflammation, and estrogen-related inflammatory signalling.
Omega 3
Supports systemic inflammation reduction and has been linked to lower pelvic pain in endometriosis.
This combination is designed to support, not override, the body and is suitable for women navigating endometriosis alone or alongside PCOS.
The Jooce Perspective
Endometriosis is complex, it’s personal and it deserves more than surface-level solutions.
March isn’t just about awareness. It’s about believing women, educating ourselves, and supporting long-term healing in ways that feel sustainable.
Understanding your body is power and it’s the first step toward feeling more at home in it again.
