Women to tell their stories at endometriosis meeting in Cork

“The women I’ve met are tired – tired of not being listened to, tired of travelling abroad for treatment.”

Those were the words of Senator Maria McCormack ahead of a meeting in Cork this evening, Thursday, on endometriosis.

The Sinn Féin organised event will be held in partnership with the senator, who has been leading a national campaign on endometriosis awareness and healthcare reform. Sinn Féin’s party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD will also in attendance to hear from patients with confirmed or suspected endometriosis.

The event follows a number of successful public meetings in across the country driven by Senator Maria McCormack and party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD, where women came together to share their stories of living with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects 1 in 10 women. The Cork meeting aims to continue this vital conversation, and highlight the lack of proper treatment options in Ireland.

Senator McCormack said: “This campaign is only growing stronger. (Women are tired) of being offered inappropriate care like ablation, chemical menopause, or hysterectomies instead of the gold-standard excision surgery. We need multi-disciplinary teams and regional centres of excellence. It’s time women were believed – and given the care they deserve.”

Speaking ahead of the event, Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said: “Too many women in Cork – and indeed across the island – have suffered in silence with endometriosis. Again and again, we are hearing about delayed diagnoses, misdiagnosis, inadequate care, and lack of access to proper treatment.”

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould TD said: “These delays and dismissals are having devastating consequences on patients, their families and their communities. Senator Maria McCormack and Sinn Féin Chorcaí are hosting this meeting to hear from women, learn from their experiences, and demand better from our health system.

“We want to support these women’s calls for meaningful change in how the condition is understood, diagnosed and treated. I would encourage patients in Cork North Central with confirmed or suspected endometriosis to attend and share their stories of living with endometriosis.”

The meeting is open to the public, and women affected by endometriosis, their families, healthcare professionals, and local representatives are especially encouraged to attend.

The event is on Thursday 3 July at 7.30pm in the Rochestown Park Hotel. Register at endometriosiscork.eventbrite.ie.