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6th March 2026
01:42pm GMT
March is Endometriosis Month, and it's more important than ever for us to raise awareness about this condition that impacts the lives of over 200,000 women in Ireland.
Those with endometriosis know just how isolating the condition can be, but endometriosis physiotherapist Anna Marie Gleeson is running classes that are helping women feel less alone in their struggles with endometriosis.
In an interview with Her, she explained that the classes give patients a chance to talk to people who completely understand their experience.
The class takes place every month and typically includes around 10-12 women who have been referred to Anna Marie by the clinical nurse specialist team or one of the doctors at The Coombe.
"It's an online class, and there's usually like 10-12 girls on it, all of whom have endometriosis. I lead it, and it's quite an interactive class where I bring up topics like pain management, pelvic pain, and what everybody's experiences are. Then I try to give some evidence-based education and the latest research on how best to manage that."
"People will often, once they've done the class, come back in to see me for a one-to-one appointment, if there's something that they want to talk about a little bit more in person, or if there is a manual technique that needs to be done for them."
Anna Marie explained that her main aim is to help women learn to manage their pain and to live a full life with endometriosis.
"A lot of people who get a diagnosis of endometriosis don't quite know what it is. A lot of people will present initially with pelvic pain or pain during their periods, but they won't know that actually maybe some of the bladder symptoms that they have, like if they need to go for a wee all the time or they get pain when they go to the bathroom, or if they have pain during intercourse, or if they have pain when they go for a bowel movement, they won't always know that actually most of those symptoms are associated with endometriosis."
Anna Marie stressed that normalising endometriosis in Ireland is so important in making patients feel less alone. She explained that it can be difficult to discuss it, but it's so vital to have these conversations.
"If people can talk about those things with their friends, and be more open about talking about their own body, it can help."
However, Anna Marie stressed that it isn't always an easy thing to talk about because it is such a personal struggle.
"It is such an intimate and private area. It's really different from having a shoulder injury or an elbow injury. It's completely different. People are really private and personal about it."
Anna Marie also reminded patients and those who suspect they may have endometriosis that they're never alone, and that there is a lot of support available in Ireland.
"There are lots of services out there to help once you're into them. Physio is an important part of the whole thing. I think a lot of people think, "Why would I be referred to physio? She can't do anything for me. It's just medications and surgery." But that's not the case either. My main job is helping people to help themselves."
Anna Marie believes physiotherapy can give endometriosis patients "the knowledge and the power to be able to do things to make their bodies feel more like themselves again."
"You don't have power over your period, you don't have power over all these things, and my main job is to help people get that power back again."
Speak to your GP if:
You think you might have endometriosis
Your symptoms are affecting your everyday life, work, and relationships
You've had treatment from a GP, but your symptoms do not get better or get worse
The Coombe team includes a consultant, clinical nurse specialist, physio, dietician, and psychologist, all providing care for women who have received a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis from stages 1-3.
https://www.coombe.ie/enhanced-endometriosis-service.
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