These 33 Celebrities Are Sharing Their Endometriosis Stories to Raise Awareness

Period pain can already be a deeply challenging and upsetting part of being a person with a uterus. But if you add in an invisible illness, like endometriosis — an often misdiagnosed condition in which implants similar to the lining of the uterus are found outside the uterus and result in heavy, painful periods — the experience can be even more traumatizing. Breaking the silence around misunderstood conditions like endometriosis is crucial for helping patients feel more heard and less alone, which is why we’re spotlighting these celebrities with endometriosis who are sharing their experiences.

According to Endometriosis.org, 1 in 10 women have endometriosis, and 176 million people worldwide are affected by the disruptive condition. It is a serious but deeply neglected public health issue. In fact, according to a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-led study published in 2011, 11 percent of a group of women who had not been diagnosed with endometriosis actually had the disorder. If the finding applies to all women in the United States, the number of American women with endometriosis could exceed previous estimates of five million. Some studies even show that their experiences are often labeled incorrectly as a mental health issue or another physical issue, leading to patients experiencing medical gaslighting and exhausting and painful searches for doctors who will actually listen to them.

Celebrities aren’t excluded from this condition or even the pervasive issues in accessing adequate care. But, recently, as more and more people become aware of the condition’s existence and different treatment options out there, several famous faces have started speaking out about their struggles. Like with so many invisible illnesses, more advocates standing up and sharing their stories can only lead to a world where more patients are heard and supported.

A version of this story was published June 2017.

This article was originally published on sheknows.com.