Labour Youth Secretary General, Dr Trisianne Oliva, highlighted the importance of recent women’s health proposals, drawing attention to the lived experience of patients with endometriosis and adenomyosis.In a statement, Oliva said that for years, women with endometriosis have been told that painful periods are “normal” or have had their symptoms dismissed as exaggeration. She stressed that endometriosis is not a normal part of menstruation, but a chronic condition affecting around one in 10 women worldwide.Oliva said she personally lives with both endometriosis and adenomyosis, describing the conditions as life-altering not only in terms of physical pain but also their emotional and psychological impact.She said there are days when the pain is so severe that basic daily activities become difficult, adding that the invisibility of the illness often leads to misunderstanding from others.Explaining the conditions, she said endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, while adenomyosis involves similar tissue growing into the muscular wall of the uterus. She noted that both conditions can affect multiple aspects of life, including education, work, relationships, fertility, mental health and overall wellbeing.Dr Oliva also pointed to the delays many patients face in receiving a diagnosis, saying she personally spent four years searching for answers while her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed.She said this experience reflects a wider issue of limited awareness, which can lead to late diagnosis and prolonged suffering.Turning to policy, she said recent women’s health proposals announced by the Labour Party ahead of the general election represent an important step forward.These include the establishment of Malta’s first Women’s Health Clinic, awareness campaigns on endometriosis and PCOS, and a fast-track referral system for suspected endometriosis cases.She also welcomed the inclusion of medication for endometriosis and adenomyosis in the government formulary, describing it as a step towards improved accessibility and dignity for patients.Oliva said that while such policy measures are encouraging, broader cultural change is also needed in how women’s health is understood and discussed. She called for an end to the normalisation of severe pain and greater openness around women’s health conditions.“Behind the word ‘endometriosis’ are thousands of stories of women silently battling pain every single day,” she said, adding that the issue is not only about menstruation but about quality of life and ensuring future generations are heard earlier than many are today.What do you make of her words?•