Kildare women ‘deserve better’ when it comes to endometriosis care

Women in County Kildare "deserve better" when it comes to endometriosis care — that's according to one Kildare South TD.

According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places — for example, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes.

It can affect women of any age, although it is less likely to occur in women after menopause. 

Demanding better treatment for those with the condition yesterday (July 15 last), Sinn Féin Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh called for the government to support her party's Dáil motion.

The motion follows a series of public meetings hosted by Sinn Féin's leader, Mary Lou McDonald, who consulted with those impacted by endometriosis across Ireland.

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Elaborating on her view, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: "Over the last number of months, we have held nine public meetings about endometriosis across the state and if one thing has been clear it is that endometriosis care in Ireland has failed thousands of women.

"Time and time again, we have heard heartbreaking stories from women who have not only had to battle living with chronic, excruciating pain, but have also had endure the trauma of having to fight for a diagnosis in the first place, and then for adequate treatment."

She continued: "This is not good enough... No one should be forced to fight to be believed, to be diagnosed and to receive the treatment they need, this should not be happening in 2025. 

"The bravery and strength of these women, alongside the experiences of their family and friends, and their commitment to fight for the care they need and deserve has been an inspiration to us; that is what has driven this campaign."

"Endometriosis is not rare, it effects at least one in ten women in Ireland, with recent global research suggesting that nearly one in six may have symptoms indicative of endometriosis.

The Kildare town rep further said that her party conducted an online survey over recent weeks, in which she claimed that the party received 1,420 responses and "over 700 personal stories of delayed diagnosis, suffering and trauma". 

According to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh: "95 per cent of participants missed education or work commitments due to symptoms; 58 per cent of participants have suffered symptoms for more than 10 years; and 49 per cent [were left] waiting more than 12 months for a consultation with a gynaecologist."

"The ongoing neglect of endometriosis care in Ireland is emblematic of broader systemic failures in women’s healthcare, and the response from government has been a disjointed stopgap approach with women being prescribed outdated treatments that only prolong their suffering.

"This is [further] exemplified by the fact that it currently takes an average of nine years for patients to receive a formal diagnosis, resulting in prolonged suffering, permanent organ damage, and increased risk of infertility."

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, TD for Sinn Féin (File photograph).

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh also gave her view that the reason people in Ireland did not hear about the alleged lack of endometriosis care that often in the past was because women often felt like they had no option but to suffer in silence. 

However, she added that this is now changing, as "courageous women step forward to share their stories and demand change and action from government".

She also said: "Sinn Féin’s motion calls for a dedicated multidisciplinary endometriosis treatment centre, staffed and resourced to provide diagnosis, holistic management, and specialised excision surgery — the gold standard surgical management for this agonising condition.

"Our message to women across Ireland living the nightmare of endometriosis is that you are not alone; we will fight with you and for you.

"We will keep this campaign going until you have the treatment, services and healthcare you deserve here in Ireland."

She concluded: "We are calling on all parties to back this motion when it comes before the Dáil. Women deserve better."

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