Francesca Shines A Light On Endometriosis Awareness

Think endometriosis and often what it is or who it affects may come up blank. 

But today, it’s likely you, a friend, a sibling, parent, colleague or woman you know is suffering with endometriosis, yet because reproductive health and period talk has often been considered taboo, women have sadly often had to face it alone.

This month at Francesca we are partnering with Endometriosis Australia in the hope to support and spread awareness to this common disorder affecting so many women.

With one in nine women suffering often in silence, we want to shine a light onto endometriosis to empower women to understand important symptoms behind this cruel disorder and to give you hope, direction, support and ways you can learn more and spread awareness.

What is endometriosis?

As explained on the Endometriosis Australia website:

 
“Endometriosis is a common disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. More than 830,000 (more than 11%) of Australian *women suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers.

Symptoms are variable and this may contribute to the 6.5 year delay in diagnosis. Common symptoms include pelvic pain that puts life on hold around or during a woman’s period. It can impact fertility.

Whilst endometriosis most often affects the reproductive organs it is frequently found in the bowel and bladder and has been found in muscle, joints, the lungs and the brain.

What are common endometriosis symptoms? 

• Fatigue.
• Pain that stops you on or around your period.
• Pain on or around ovulation.
• Pain during or after sex.
• Pain with bowel movements.

• Pain when urinating.
• Pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs.
• Having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go frequently.
• Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding.

What we’re doing to help stretch awareness:

A cause close to our heart, we are partnering with Endometriosis Australia for our 6th year running to raise much needed funds with our iconic  awareness bracelet for the month of March. 

Learn more about our Awareness Bracelet below and how to purchase it direct.

About the Awareness bracelet - Endometriosis Australia

The gorgeous hand beaded awareness bracelet features…

• Yellow jade beads - the stone of harmony. We chose this hue as the focus of our design as it symbolises the signature golden wattle hue, which according to Endometriosis Awareness represents resilience and its ability to withstand Australian droughts, winds and bush fires and also yellow is recognised internationally for Endometriosis too.
  
  
• Choice of metal - mix and match to what resonates with you from either solid sterling silver or 14k rose or yellow gold filled findings.
  
  
• Feel good factor - $20 from every awareness bracelet purchased goes towards Endometriosis Australia to increase recognition, provide education programs and fund endometriosis research. 

We are proud to have raised over $50,000 over the past five years and we hope through designing a beautiful bracelet and encouraging your support we can continue to work towards #StretchingAwareness for Endo. 

Shop the bracelet: 

To purchase an awareness bracelet for Endometriosis Awareness click here.

Don’t forget to post on socials to let others know. 

A large part of awareness month is about spreading awareness and helping women feel safe to speak up - so when you purchase a bracelet let others know by tagging us on socials @francesca.com.au, @endometriosisawareness and the #StretchingAwareness hashtag to spread the word.

Why it matters to us

Endometriosis is a cause close to our hearts. You may not know that one of the sisters behind our brand Rachel (our creative director) suffers from endometriosis. As an all empowered female founded company that is proud to have over 60 female employees , she wants other women to know they are not alone by speaking up about her experience. Learn more about her story below.

Ways you can learn more about endometriosis

1. Listen in
   
   Learn about Rachel’s personal journey by listening to the podcast ‘Living With Endo: Sparking Endo Conversations Through Fine Jewellery’ where you can hear about her experience with endometriosis and how she is helping stretch awareness through our brand and bracelet.

Click here for podcast link.

1. Talk about it over tea
   Another beautiful way to learn more and support is by hosting a high tea. Invite a friend who has endo to share their story in an informal gathering with other women in your community or family and friend circle over a cup of tea and a piece of cake and make it a special girl’s day that brings light to a serious topic. 

Don’t forget to wear a hint of wattle yellow (the colour for endometriosis) either in outfit or accessories with our very own Endometriosis awareness bracelet - with all proceeds going to help Endometriosis Australia.

For more go to Endometriosis Australia Host A High Tea for recipes and resources - don’t forget the hashtags too: #Endohightea #stretchingawareness.

1. Watch a webinar
   
   More of a visual learner?  Watch this short five minute educational webinar from Endometriosis Australia that speaks with doctors about what it is and breaks myths around the types of woman who it affects (in short - no one size fits all) and types of pain and the many ways it presents. 

This is a great starting point for understanding it or wondering if what you’re experiencing may fit within the endo profile. For further advice speak with your doctor directly.