Endometriosis at the Intersection: Trauma, Identity, and the Struggle for Equitable Care—A Narrative Review

Rachelle Warner, Jodie Avery
In: Women's Reproductive Health · 2026 · vol. 13(2) , pp. 555–574 · doi:10.1080/23293691.2026.2636611 · W7154720174
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This narrative review explores how trauma and identity influence the experiences of individuals with endometriosis and their struggles to access equitable healthcare.

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This narrative review examines endometriosis through the lenses of medical sociology, feminist theory, and trauma studies to critique dominant biomedical approaches. The authors identify four key themes: diagnostic delays caused by medical dismissal, the amplification of pain by trauma, the erasure of intersectional identities in clinical settings, and patient resistance via self-advocacy. They argue that systemic biases such as racism, sexism, and transphobia exacerbate the physical and psychological harm experienced by marginalized individuals with the condition. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on social determinants, trauma-informed care, and equity in diagnosis and treatment.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting millions worldwide, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated—particularly among marginalized individuals. Drawing on medical sociology, feminist theory, and trauma studies, this paper challenges dominant biomedical narratives through four themes: medical dismissal and diagnostic delay; trauma as an amplifier of pain; erasure of intersectional identities in clinical care; and patient resistance through self-advocacy. Systemic biases rooted in racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and transphobia compound the trauma of endometriosis, causing physical and Page 2 of 4 psychological harm. We call for trauma-informed, intersectional, and reproductive-justice frameworks to create more equitable, inclusive care for all people with endometriosis.
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Abstract Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting millions worldwide, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated—particularly among marginalized individuals. Drawing on medical sociology, feminist theory, and trauma studies, this paper challenges dominant biomedical narratives through four themes: medical dismissal and diagnostic delay; trauma as an amplifier of pain; erasure of intersectional identities in clinical care; and patient resistance through self-advocacy. Systemic biases rooted in racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and transphobia compound the trauma of endometriosis, causing physical and psychological harm. We call for trauma-informed, intersectional, and reproductive-justice frameworks to create more equitable, inclusive care for all people with endometriosis. Disclosure Statement No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). Data Availability Statement No new data were generated in this work.

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endometriosis

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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