If you’re living with endometriosis, you’re already aware of the impact the condition can have on your life — but chances are strong that other people in your orbit don’t know as much as they could about the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness about the medical condition — particularly in March, which is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

It can be hard when your friends and family don’t know what you’re going through. It can also feel difficult to say no to loved ones who don’t understand your situation, because you might worry about how your relationships will be affected.

Raising awareness about endometriosis is important so your friends, family, and acquaintances can better understand how to support you.

Start by Raising Your Own Awareness

Before you can create public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to understand the specifics about endometriosis. Learn more about endometriosis causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects approximately 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Endometriosis often goes unrecognized by doctors or is misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated. Endometriosis can have a profound impact on quality of life, including work, education, relationships, and the ability to conceive. People with endometriosis may suffer for many years before obtaining the correct diagnosis, with the average time to diagnosis coming in at 10 years.

Share Awareness Resources

After you’re armed with information about endometriosis, you can share it with others. The fastest and least expensive way for this kind of advocacy is through social media. You can post information about endometriosis, share details about the condition, and join communities of other people who are also working to raise awareness about endometriosis.

You can follow the Endometriosis Foundation of America on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for endometriosis-related information and updates.

Additionally, to ensure your messages on social media reach as many people as possible, consider using an appropriate endometriosis-related hashtag, like #Endometriosis or #EndoWarriors. This way, your posts will be seen by more people who have the same interests, and they’re more likely to share and comment.

Social media helps raise awareness for the condition, and it also allows other people with endometriosis to realize they aren’t alone. Joining an endometriosis community on social media, such as MyEndometriosisTeam, can also help you connect with others.

Participate in Awareness Activities

Another way to raise awareness about endometriosis is to participate in an activity dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for endometriosis, play bingo, participate in fundraising activities, or even create a unique event that works for your interests. You can help other people understand more about endometriosis while having fun and raising money for the cause.

If you are able, you can also donate (and encourage others to donate) to organizations such as the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

In addition, remember to engage in self-care. It is emotionally taxing to educate others about your lived experiences, so know your limits and accept when to put your mental well-being first.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MyEndometriosisTeam, more than 122,000 people living with endometriosis come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Share your endometriosis journey in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.