Endometriosis in the UAE: What Women Need to Know
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. However, there remains a lack of awareness of this condition despite it affecting approximately 1 in 10 women worldwide.
In clinic, I often meet women who have been experiencing pelvic pain for years before learning that their symptoms could be related to endometriosis. Many have been told their pain is normal, something they simply “need to tolerate” as a woman. But severe period pain, chronic pelvic discomfort, and pain during everyday activities are not something women should have to live with in silence. Understanding endometriosis is the first step toward better care and support.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can attach to areas such as the ovaries, bowel, or bladder. Like the uterine lining, this tissue responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Because it cannot exit the body in the same way, it can lead to inflammation, irritation, and chronic pain.
Common symptoms include:
- Severe menstrual pain
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination
- Lower back pain
- Fatigue
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Symptoms can vary significantly, which is one reason diagnosis is often delayed.
Why Many Women in the UAE Suffer Quietly
Across many cultures, including in the UAE, conversations about menstrual health and pelvic pain are still relatively limited. Many women grow up believing that painful periods are a normal part of life. Because of this, symptoms may be dismissed, both by patients and within healthcare settings.
It is common for women with endometriosis to spend years seeking answers before receiving a diagnosis. This delay can affect not only physical health but also daily life, work, relationships, and mental wellbeing. Greater awareness and open conversations about menstrual health are essential to helping women access care earlier.
Treatment Pathways Available in the UAE
The UAE has a growing network of healthcare professionals who specialise in diagnosing and managing endometriosis. Treatment pathways often begin with a gynaecologist, who may evaluate symptoms, conduct imaging, and discuss potential treatment options. Management approaches can vary depending on symptoms and individual needs.
These may include:
- Hormonal treatments to manage symptoms
- Pain management strategies
- Lifestyle and supportive therapies
- In some cases, surgical evaluation or treatment
Because endometriosis affects multiple systems in the body, care often benefits from a broader, multidisciplinary approach.
The Importance of Multidisciplinary Care
Endometriosis is not simply a gynaecological condition. Chronic pelvic pain can also affect muscles, nerves, and the way the body responds to stress and inflammation. For many women, collaborating with a team of healthcare providers offers more comprehensive support.
This may include:
- Gynaecologists, for diagnosis and medical management
- Pelvic health physiotherapists, who help address pelvic floor tension, pain, and movement patterns
- Pain specialists, for chronic pain management
- Nutritionists or other supportive practitioners, depending on symptoms
Pelvic physiotherapy, in particular, can help address pelvic floor dysfunction, muscle guarding, and movement limitations that often develop alongside chronic pelvic pain.
Breaking the Silence Around Pelvic Pain
One of the most important steps in improving outcomes for endometriosis is talking about it. Painful periods should not be dismissed as normal. Persistent pelvic pain deserves proper investigation and care. As a pelvic health physiotherapist, I believe that pelvic health education is an important part of helping women understand their bodies and access the support they need. By raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, and supporting multidisciplinary care, we can help more women move from coping with pain to receiving the care they deserve.
Click here to find a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in your Emirate.