Endometriosis Awareness Month
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global campaign dedicated to increasing awareness of endometriosis and improving the health care outcomes of women and gender-diverse people. This month, we are spotlighting resources from the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory.
The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory focuses on clinical and basic science research related to endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, approximately one million people in Canada—as well as an unmeasured number of transgender and gender diverse people. It is defined as tissue, similar to the tissue from inside the uterus growing elsewhere, typically in the pelvis. Endometriosis can cause painful menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual pain, in addition to potential impact on fertility.
The Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Laboratory does not provide clinical services. If you are looking for endometriosis clinical services please check out the Endometriosis Network Canada Surgeon Directory.
Read down below for resources and events.
Resource Bundle
The Period Pain is Real Pain campaign was co-developed by Zeba Khan, a WHRI member and UBC PhD student, in collaboration with youth lived experience of severe period pain, medical professionals (including gynecologists specializing in endometriosis, pelvic pain, and pediatric gynecology), and staff from the Women’s Health Research Institute.
The campaign aims to generate awareness that severe period pain is not normal. The Period Pain is Real Pain website, offers a range of resources on period pain, related conditions such as endometriosis, and pain relief strategies.
We encourage you to share the Period Pain is Real Pain website and resources with your community.
The Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis site offers adults and the general public with endometriosis a range of resources, including educational videos, information on painful sex, an overview of treatment options, a library of recommended books, websites and podcasts. In addition on the site, users can explore frequently asked questions about endometriosis, painful sex and fertility to navigate their questions and concern.
The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory has developed educational resources in the form of a three part video series and flowcharts for healthcare trainees and providers on chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis.
These video resources were created collaboratively with people with lived experience of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, student partners, researchers, and clinicians. The three part video series describes the prevalence, burden, and impact of chronic pelvic pain.
The Endometriosis Film Festival: An Immersive Showcase of Personal Stories
The Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Laboratory invites the community to the Endometriosis Film Festival on October 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM PST. This innovative one-day event will be held in-person at UBC Robson Square and online.
The festival is designed as a welcoming space where members of the community can come together to learn, connect, and reflect on the lived experiences of people with endometriosis. The program will feature a curated selection of more than thirty intimate short films that share deeply personal and often untold stories surrounding endometriosis.
Each film has been created by people with endometriosis, bringing authenticity, raw emotion, and a powerful sense of community and shared understanding to the screen. Screenings will be accompanied by discussion, with breaks and refreshments available for in-person attendees.
Continue Learning and Stay Connected
If you have comments or questions, please contact us at whri.communications@cw.bc.ca.
Follow the Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Laboratory on Instagram and bookmark their website.