Throughout March, people from all over the world are hosting events and raising awareness of endometriosis. This increased visibility is essential for a disease that affects such a large swathe of the population. But as I wrote in my previous post, these conversations are largely started by women, meant for women, and held between women.

This is expected in a condition that affects women almost exclusively, but it’s also a limiting factor for the visibility of the condition. Men have as much a role to play in figuring out how to deal with endometriosis as women. But without being able to rely on standard education to teach men about women’s reproductive issues, it is up to the people in the know to share their stories and experiences with others.

A good place to start is sharing articles on social media. Chances are your followers and friends on social media are a mix of genders and sexes, and sharing this information with them (with an explanation of why they should read it and why you shared it) is a great way to get conversations going. Share this article, or another from this site, and take the first step toward raising awareness. If you want to make it more personal, share your experiences and stories of endometriosis. Nothing destigmatizes like openness, and nothing is more touching than personal stories.

A sponsored event is a great way to raise money for the cause while also raising awareness. In the United Kingdom, we have marathons such as London or Brighton; there are countless similar events across the globe. Get your friends together and do something fun while raising money and awareness for endometriosis.

Finally, sharing personal stories and experiences with your close male friends may be the most impactful way to raise awareness. (Important: Make sure your partner or loved one with endometriosis is comfortable with you sharing their story!) Have conversations with your friends, tell them about you and your partner’s struggles, and tell them about the highs and lows. By understanding that this condition affects those close to us, endometriosis moves from being an abstract concept to a real issue. We are more likely to feel connected to it, and more passionate about the cause.

It’s important that men are as much a part of the conversation as the women suffering from endometriosis. It is only with mutual understanding and consistent dialogue that we can work together and get endo patients the support they need, and the comfort they deserve.

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Note: Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Endometriosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to endometriosis.