Education campaign on Endometriosis - Anglo Celt

Seanad Appeal Cites Years of Misdiagnosis

Senator Sarah O’Reilly has called for an immediate national education campaign on endometriosis, warning that too many women face misdiagnosis or years without answers. Speaking in the Seanad on Friday, October 30, 2026, the Aon senator detailed how the condition severely impacts both physical and mental health. Symptoms range from pelvic pain and extreme fatigue to bowel problems, depression, and fertility difficulties.

The call for public awareness follows accounts from women who presented to general practitioners and consultants with serious concerns. Instead of receiving timely care, they were misdiagnosed or dismissed with prescriptions for antidepressants. Senator O’Reilly stated that many young women attending school and work while living in severe pain are told their symptoms are merely a bad period or a hormonal issue that will resolve on its own.

Systemic Knowledge Gaps Within Clinical Practice

Addressing the upper house of the Oireachtas, Senator O’Reilly pointed to a deeper systemic issue within the healthcare system itself. “What is even more worrying is the lack of knowledge within the medical community itself,” she stated, noting that some patients only discover the root cause of their suffering through friends, family, or social media rather than through clinical diagnosis.

Waiting Room Posters Proposed as Immediate Action

While she welcomed increased media coverage of endometriosis, the senator urged the Government to translate awareness into a structured national information campaign. Pointing to public health precedents for other conditions, she emphasized the simplicity and reach required for effective waiting room outreach. “Similar to sepsis, in the doctor’s waiting room, all you need is a poster,” she said.

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