NDP: The battle with endometriosis has gone long enough, it’s time for a path forward

QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, joined MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto-St. Paul’s), NDP critic for Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, to advocate for increased awareness, resources, and education for endometriosis.

“Thousands of Ontarians are impacted by endometriosis, and it is vital that we not only raise awareness for the impact of endometriosis, but to also commit to research, treatment, and increasing access to care for those who continue to suffer,” said Stiles. “We must break the stigma, have honest conversations, and ensure equitable access to endometriosis care for all.”

Endometriosis impacts one in ten people who menstruate, but social stigmas have created a lack of awareness and education, which can impact diagnosis and treatment options.

In 2021, Stiles led the NDP in passing legislation that established Endometriosis Awareness Month in Ontario, which is now recognized every March.

Andrew will be tabling petitions this week calling for better endometriosis care, funding, and education in Ontario with thousands of signatures from across the province.

“Endometriosis is an issue of health equity and social justice. Diagnosis alone can take between five to 11 years, so many living with endometriosis have to manage in silence due to systemic discrimination, doctor shortages, lack of resources and awareness, and healthcare barriers,” she said. “Between ongoing healthcare privatization, a pink tax, and a health care system in crisis, people continue to fall through the cracks. Nobody should have to suffer in silence, spend thousands of dollars on pain management and out of country surgeries, deal with chronic absences from school and work, or live without a proper diagnosis and a path to treatment. Those living with chronic pain need to be believed and supported, nobody should have to learn to live in pain.

Thank you to Tami Ellis and Leah Haynes, co-founders of Endometriosis Events for your leadership and advocacy and to each person here today for sharing your story showing why real action is needed. You may be endowarriors, but your battle has gone on long enough.”

QUOTES

Bev Herscovitch,Healthcare Advocate

“I strongly believe in public healthcare. We need to stop underfunding our healthcare system and direct resources more wisely. And to specifically fund treatment for endometriosis patients so we don’t have to wait years for consultations and surgeries. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The entire government should work together to create a healthcare system that recognizes endometriosis as an urgent crisis. No one should have to fend for themselves because our elected representatives have failed us.”

QUICK FACTS

• Stigma driven by gender biases discourages many people with endometriosis from seeking treatment.
• Canada has a shortage of health care providers and specialists trained in the condition, forcing many to go untreated or leave the country for services. International surgeries cost thousands.
• Untreated, endometriosis can cause chronic pain, inflammation, depression, infertility and more, and can limit someone’s ability to work, resulting in lost wages.
• The Ford Conservatives’ dramatic underinvestment in health care, worsened by their unconstitutional wage restraint legislation Bill 124, puts treatments and support even further away for the thousands of Ontarians with endometriosis.
• The Ontario NDP is calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the lack of investment, research, and access to care.
• Andrew joined Endometriosis Events at a rally to advocate for better care and awareness earlier this week.