- 1 in 10 women in the UK suffer with endometriosis
- H&B’s women’s wellness brand, Parla, has created a six-week learning programme which aims to demystify endometriosis
- Holland & Barrett has partnered with influencer and charity founder, Carla Cressy, to launch the #EndoStories campaign
- Campaign encourages women to share their personal experience of the condition
The UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, Holland & Barrett, is on a mission to get the nation talking about endometriosis – one of the least talked about health conditions in the UK. From bloating, heavy periods, pelvic pain and at the most severe end, ovarian cysts and infertility – endometriosis is a debilitating health condition affecting 1.5 million women in the UK right now. New research has revealed 1 in 10 women suffer in silence with endometriosis, with it taking an average of eight years to eventually diagnose*.
Holland & Barrett’s women’s wellness business, Parla, has launched a ground-breaking e-learning programme, to demystify endometriosis and teach people how to manage symptoms of the condition in a healthy and holistic way. The six-week ‘Take Control of Your Endometriosis’ programme creates a safe, non-judgemental space and includes in-depth e-modules, live webinars and most importantly, a well-connected and supportive community. Programme experts include Author of ‘You Can Have a Better Period’ Le’Nise Brothers, who are on hand to share their professional advice and own experience with the condition.
Ten per cent of profits from the programme will go to supporting The Endometriosis Foundation, founded by wellness influencer, Carla Cressy. Holland & Barrett has joined forces with the inspiring influencer to launch #EndoStories, which will see Carla’s personal journey with the condition displayed in the shop windows of Holland & Barrett stores nationwide. The thought-provoking campaign aims to both motivate other women to speak up about their own journey and raise awareness of this lesser talked about condition. Customers are invited to share their own stories around ‘endo’ – as the condition is often referred to – using the #EndoStories hashtag on social media.
Lina Chan, General Manager for Wellness Ventures at H&B and CEO of Parla says, “Supporting women’s wellness and their underserved health needs is at the heart of H&B and Parla, so we are proud to raise much-needed awareness around endometriosis. By displaying Carla’s inspirational story across H&B stores nationwide, we hope to encourage other women to talk about their own endometriosis experience and educate those that know very little about this debilitating condition.”
“Parla and Holland & Barrett are committed to breaking the silence around endometriosis and believe all women deserve access to the expertise and support they need to manage their symptoms. Parla, powered by Holland & Barrett offers a pioneering six-week learning and support programme and for the first time our store colleagues are being given guidance on how to approach conversations with customers about endometriosis and where to signpost them for more support.”
Carla Cressy says, “I am so incredibly excited to be working with Holland & Barrett and Parla to bring Endometriosis to the high street. I’m grateful to be able to share my story and I really hope it encourages others to talk about their experiences, and not only that, to know they’re not alone. Like many people, I had never heard of Endometriosis before being diagnosed, and didn’t know where to turn for guidance and support which is why I set up The Endometriosis Foundation. There are lots of lifestyle changes people can make to help manage symptoms in a healthy and holistic way which I am passionate about sharing with other people going through this. If I had known a few years ago what I know now, I know my life could have been completely different.”
