By Talking Health TV –

Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting about one in ten people assigned female at birth. It causes tissue similar to the uterus lining to grow in other body parts, including the ovaries, intestines, bladder, and bowels. The symptoms can be debilitating: severe pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex, infertility, and fatigue.

For many sufferers, getting a diagnosis takes time—on average, between eight to twelve years. However, Black women wait longer, and the challenges are more significant. Research shows Black women are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis compared to white women, leaving many to endure years of unnecessary pain and complications.

The Roots of Racial Disparities

Why is this happening? The reasons are deeply rooted in systemic racism and barriers to gynaecological care. The field of gynaecology itself has a troubling history. J. Marion Sims, often called the “father of gynaecology,” developed many of his techniques by performing surgeries without anaesthesia on enslaved Black women who could not consent. Sims’ refusal to use anaesthesia stemmed from a racist belief that Black people had a higher pain tolerance.

This harmful myth persists today. Studies in the U.S. have shown that some medical students and doctors still believe Black patients are less sensitive to pain than white patients. In the UK, surveys reveal that many Black people have faced prejudice from healthcare providers, with their pain and symptoms often dismissed.

These biases have real consequences. Black women in the U.S. are less likely to receive adequate pain management during and after childbirth. In the UK, women from minority ethnic groups with endometriosis often struggle to have their pain taken seriously by clinicians. This systemic dismissal contributes to the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of endometriosis in Black women.

The Impact on Black Women’s Lives

For the small percentage of Black women who do receive a diagnosis, it usually comes much later than for white women—an average of two and a half years later. Even when surgery is required, Black women are less likely to receive it, and when they do, they’re more likely to experience complications.

This delay in care is dangerous. Left untreated, endometriosis can cause severe damage to organs like the uterus, bladder, and bowels. It can worsen pelvic pain, lead to incontinence and bowel issues, and increase the risk of infertility and pregnancy complications. Beyond physical health, endometriosis impacts every aspect of life—from education and career opportunities to relationships and mental health. Anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm are more common among those with untreated endometriosis.

Shattering Myths and Changing the Narrative

A lingering misconception is that endometriosis is a “white career woman’s disease,” which further marginalises Black women in conversations about the condition. This narrative must change. More research is needed to understand the true prevalence of endometriosis in Black women and to dismantle the stereotypes that hinder diagnosis and care.

What Needs to Happen

Change begins with the medical community. Mandatory training on implicit bias for healthcare providers is essential. Funding must be directed toward research that focuses on endometriosis in Black women, both in the U.S. and globally. We also need community-driven solutions—resources and support systems that Black women can access easily.

Organisations like Cysters, the Black Women’s Reproductive Health Project, EndoBlack, and the Black Women’s Health Imperative are great starting points for anyone seeking information and advocacy.

Taking Charge of Your Health

If you suspect you have endometriosis, don’t suffer in silence. Keep a diary of your symptoms and share it with your doctor. Ask questions and advocate for yourself. Your pain is real and deserves attention.

Together, as a community, we can push for better care and ensure that Black women no longer face these unnecessary struggles in silence.

Sources

Revisiting the impact of race/ethnicity in endometriosis –https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6767495/?

Medical Exploitation of Black Women – https://eji.org/news/history-racial-injustice-medical-exploitation-of-black-women

Racial Disparities Associated with Endometriosis Diagnosis – https://www.ajmc.com/view/racial-disparities-associated-with-endometriosis-diagnosis?

Endometriosis: lack Women continue to Receive Pooper Care for the Condition: https://www.wrh.ox.ac.uk/news/endometriosis-black-women-continue-to-receive-poorer-care-for-the-condition?