We'll keep fighting, say Caithness women's health campaigners after World Congress on Endometriosis
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Caithness women's healthcare campaigners have vowed to keep fighting for improvements after attending the 15th World Congress on Endometriosis.
Kirsteen Campbell and Rebecca Wymer, chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively of North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub, said it was a privilege to speak to specialists from around the globe along with patient support groups, nurses, physiotherapists and medical representatives.
Mrs Campbell and Ms Wymer were also representing the Endometriosis North Highland support group at the congress, organised by the World Endometriosis Society and held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre from May 3-6.
They attended a number of sessions covering different aspects of endometriosis, as well as a welcome reception and networking event.
Mrs Campbell said North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub had made "lots of new connections" as a result.
"It was a privilege to attend the congress with Rebecca to represent the hub and our support group and generally women in the north," Mrs Campbell said. "Meeting and speaking to specialists was such an amazing opportunity for us.
"We have taken away lots of points which we are popping up daily on the hub's Facebook page. It was also a lovely opportunity to meet some of the other Scottish group leaders and spend some valuable time together.
"Everything we do we do for our ladies in our groups. We will keep fighting for change and improvements in access to good local women's healthcare."
Mrs Campbell and Ms Wymer met representatives from Edinburgh’s EXPPECT Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis who are carrying out research into endometriosis and its management.
One of the sessions they attended was on the theme of social media and whether it is an asset or a curse.
"As patients and group leaders we feel social media is our safe space, it is our wee community," Mrs Campbell said.
"We shared a stall at the event with Endo SOS [South of Scotland] and that was a great opportunity to showcase some of our leaflets and pens. It's quite surreal to think our leaflets and pens are off around the world!"
The 16th World Congress on Endometriosis is due to take place in Australia in May 2025.
Around 1.5 million women in the UK are living with the condition, according to the charity Endometriosis UK.
Endometriosis is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.
Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
