Peter Grant, MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, has backed a local support group led by one of his constituents to continue to raise awareness of Endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating condition which causes painful or heavy periods which is estimated to affect 25,000 women in Fife.

The Leader of Endo Fife hopes raised awareness of the condition will lead to more women coming forward and receiving the specific support they need. Claire Watson, who lives in Methil and was last summer named as Kingdom FM's Volunteer of the Year, said: “There is support out there waiting to help women affected by this condition but we need more awareness in Fife and a better understanding of it from medical professionals. Endometriosis takes around seven and a half years to diagnose which is far too long and that needs to change.”

Peter Grant MP added: “I was delighted to meet with Claire Watson from Endo Fife last week to mark National Endometriosis Awareness Week and I support her efforts in raising awareness of the condition across the Kingdom. Claire is able to speak openly and candidly about the effect endometriosis has had on her life. Her story illustrates the importance of early diagnosis. For this reason it’s important that girls or women who have severe period pains on bowel pains should ask their GP if endometriosis could be the cause."

The SNP Scottish Government has a positive relationship with Endometriosis UK and for several years has actively been involved in the charity’s promotional campaigns. NHS Scotland provides specialist care for the condition at the Royal Infirmaries in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, with a centre in Glasgow also planned. These centres provide multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art, high-quality and person centred treatment for management of all grades of endometriosis.

Notes;

Fife Support group info: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/fife-support-group

Endometriosis UK website: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/

For more information on the above press release contact Ross Cunningham, Senior Communications Officer to Peter Grant MP on 07887 534126 or emailing ross.cunningham@parliament.uk