Endometriosis in study and career
Friday 17th May - 11:00 to 11:50 AM
Presentation language: German
This event will take place online.
Endometriosis is the second most common gynecological condition, affecting an average of one in ten women – that's about two million people in Germany alone. Despite its severity and prevalence, endometriosis remains incurable, and the cause of the disease remains unclear. The taboo surrounding menstruation and the normalization of period pain in society, medicine, and politics mean that sufferers are often left to deal with their symptoms alone. Long diagnosis periods and diverse symptoms not only affect the quality of life of those affected but also have implications for their everyday life in studies and work.
This presentation therefore examines what endometriosis is exactly, what impact the disease has on the everyday lives of those affected, and what support services are available. The focus is also on the work of the Endometriosis Association Germany e.V., which aims to sustainably improve the care situation for those affected through targeted lobbying at the regional, national, and European levels.
About this person
For Verena Fisch, endometriosis is not (exclusively) a private issue. Rather, many of the challenges that sufferers face in their everyday lives arise from structural injustices and political decisions. Together with Javed Lindner, Verena Fisch therefore founded the Endo.Politisch.Aktiv. working group of the Endometriosis Association Germany e.V. in 2021. Together with over 30 other volunteers, she is working to make the everyday lives of those affected fairer and more sustainable through targeted political influence. Verena Fisch is working towards her doctorate in social work at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.
The Endometriosis Association Germany e.V . is the largest and oldest self-help organization of and for endometriosis sufferers in Germany. The non-profit association was founded in 1996 and currently has over 3,000 members. The aim of the association is to raise awareness of endometriosis through broad education, to support endometriosis sufferers through information, advice and exchange, and to influence health and socio-political developments on the subject of endometriosis in the interests of those affected.