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Changing the Conversation About Endometriosis
Hopkinton High School (HHS) students are on a mission to change the conversation about a condition that affects 1 in 10 women. This condition often takes nearly a decade to diagnose: Endometriosis.
Meet the SPEAK for Endo Team
Sophomores Kashvi Gupta, Aanya Mehta, Shruti Musani, Ishana Khurana, and Akshadha Ghantasala founded the initiative. It is a Community Awareness project for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). The name “SPEAK” reflects the group’s core mission to Spread Public Education, Awareness, & Kindness. In addition, they aim to educate the community about the symptoms and realities of this chronic condition.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This causes severe pain and potential infertility. Symptoms can include severe pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, and infertility. In many cases, the pain can worsen around menstruation. It may also affect the bowels, bladder, or lower back and abdomen.
Why Symptoms Can Be Hard to Recognize
SPEAK for Endo notes that, “Symptoms can vary across women. Some experience more severe forms, such as cysts on their ovaries and pain that interferes with daily life. While others can function normally with little impact on daily life. Whether you experience one or all of these symptoms, it is important to advocate for your own health”.
A Widespread Condition With Delayed Diagnosis
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. Yet, it takes seven to ten years for most women to receive an accurate diagnosis. As a result, the SPEAK for Endo students are working to close this gap. They are ensuring that their peers and community members recognize the symptoms. They also want people to feel empowered to advocate for their own health.
Why These Students Chose Endometriosis
“Awareness is the first step toward a diagnosis,” SPEAK for Endo shared. “We chose Endometriosis because people are being told their pain is normal, and we hope to stop that.”
Fundraising and Community Impact
The group has already seen significant success in their community. In the fall, they raised over $450 for the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound). They did this through a bake sale at Hopkinton High School. Beyond fundraising, the team has also prioritized direct education. They have delivered presentations to students in the high school’s RAD self-defense classes to reach young women. This helps these students recognize early symptoms and speak out about them.
Educating Peers at HHS
The initiative’s outreach has also extended to the town library, where they hosted a “Heat Pack Making” event. The students led a hands-on wellness activity. They sewed together heatpacks from scratch using fabric and rice to help women who may experience chronic pain. In addition, the event also featured an informational presentation to help attendees better understand endometriosis.
Building Awareness Online
Their digital presence has been equally impactful, featuring a consistent educational Instagram campaign discrediting common myths. It also includes an “Add Yours” social media challenge and a featured segment on the high school’s news show.
Upcoming Wellness Fair at HHS
The project is now entering its most active phase. SPEAK for Endo spoke at a Wellness Fair held at HHS. The event will feature guest speakers, an informational presentation, and interactive advocacy stations. In addition, a “Mosaic of Support” will allow attendees to contribute to a community art piece.
How to Learn More and Get Involved
To learn more visit their social media channels, where they share updates and background on their work. Those pages also offer educational resources about period poverty and menstrual health. To get involved in the upcoming period product drive, sign up for information and contact details by clicking on this:
https://linktr.ee/S.P.E.A.K_for_endo
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