Oldham charity uses International Women's Day to call for better female health.

An Oldham woman who waited seven years for a diagnosis, for her endometriosis, claims there's a gaping void in male and female health, which needs to be closed. 

23-year-old Courtney Ormrod is backing International Women’s Day (Tuesday, March 8) to get her message across.

While her partner was happily restored just two days after being hospitalised in agony, Courtney says; "While male pain wanes, women's remains."

Courtney, who helped found charity Endometriosis Awareness North, believes her experience is a typical example of the way the health of females is treated as second-class by politicians, health chiefs and even male doctors. No wonder male life expectancy has risen, whilst women’s has plateaued, she argues.

“From one of the first times I went into hospital in severe pain and was told by an older male medic that, “it is definitely not endometriosis – you’re too young,” I have become aware of a prejudice around female health” said Courtney.

“This was illustrated in the case of my partner.

"He was scanned, monitored, and treated straightaway even though COVID was raging.

"I’ve been told that the back pain associated with my condition is just a slipped disc and have even had people saying I am making it all up – when I have been unable to walk and collapsed because of endometriosis.”

Courtney believes that embarrassment around conditions such as menopause, vaginal bleeding and even ovarian cancer is playing a part, as is failing to acknowledge these dangerous illnesses as potentially fatal.

Dr Anita Sharma, who eventually diagnosed and supported Courtney, believes this bigotry has to be rooted out and training given – with resource available to help health “level-up.”

“Commissioning groups and politicians simply do not take women’s welfare seriously enough” said Dr Sharma, who is also a renowned national voice on female health, “and then there are clinicians who need to care more. Look at the damage health inequalities did during COVID, where those from poorer areas or BAME backgrounds were worst hit.

"That is what women are suffering every single day. Our health needs are put behind those of men in a spirit of blissful – and dangerous – ignorance.”

Even though it affects one in ten women of childbearing age, endometriosis remains a condition that is poorly researched, with no current cure available.

Despite causing debilitating pain, some doctors simply brush it off as period pain and fail to realise it is a whole-body condition.

Courtney claims that experts who could identify endometriosis swiftly and help manage its many physical and mental effects, are too thin on the ground.

“I wonder if this were a male condition, what progress would have been made?” asked Courtney, “the idea of constant pain – especially in their reproductive organs – would have companies pouring money into research, loud demands for medical professionals met and men craving sympathy.

"As women though, we are expected to stay quiet and just suffer. Well, no more!”

Endometriosis Awareness is a charity aiming to support women and their families with the condition and raise awareness – especially after a recent study showed people thought it was “nothing to worry about.”

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is to break the bias against females in the workplace, in society and of course – when it comes to health.

Learn more about Endometriosis Awareness North www.endometriosisawarenessnorth.com 

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.