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SurrEndo

Summary

Although one in 10 women of reproductive age in the United States experience the painful and debilitating symptoms of endometriosis, there are few resources available to provide adolescents and parents with tools for navigating life with this disease. Symptoms of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain often begin during adolescence, yet diagnostic delays range from 7-10 years. For communities of color, there are even fewer resources, and time to diagnosis is longer. The painful symptoms of endometriosis can lead to disruptions in social, family, work, and academic lives.   

 

In addition, the social stigma of discussing menstrual health and pelvic pain inhibits adolescents from discussing their symptoms or seeking treatment; parents and others also hold stigmatizing attitudes towards menstruation, pelvic pain, and endometriosis and are therefore unable to provide optimal social support to adolescents who navigate this condition.  

 

Dr. Gupta and her team in collaboration with EndoBlack, Inc, INOVA Health, and Gaming Revolution for International Development (GRID) have developed a gaming-based intervention to help Black and Latina young women and adolescents navigate social support and advocacy for their endometriosis symptoms 

The project, SurrEndo, is an app-based game designed to break down stigma and foster support for Black and Latina young women and girls, ages 14-25, dealing with endometriosis. Plus, it’s a chance for players to help us learn more about how gaming can help people with endometriosis—all while having fun! 

See what participants have to say!

"I checked out all of the cool features and really loved it. I even learned how i can advocate for myself and I’m not the only one dealing with all this. Thank you for everything. :)" 

"... I wanted to say that it was a very nice journey and I LOVE the little pamphlet with resources especially talking points! i’ve even used one of them to talk to a nurse at school, the visuals are really cute and if i’m being honest im more than likely to go back to the game haha. I felt super represented within the game and the cat is adorable! ...The symptoms that were brought up made me feel so seen especially because i thought i was the only one that missed out on school, had mood swings, canceled plans etc etc. Thank you so much for letting me participate i loved every bit of it and id be so willing to do something similar again!"

"I liked having a safe space to learn and talk and now I feel more confident being able to talk with other people about their symptoms and how they can seek help."

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