Scholarlink

Background <p>Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in women of reproductive age. Those affected suffer from a variety of symptoms that can have a challenging impact on different areas of life. Social media such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube offer affected women a platform for sharing their condition and increasing its visibility. This study examines how endometriosis is communicated in the comment sections of such posts on social media in Germany in order to better understand the reality of the lives of those affected.</p> Methods <p>300 comments from Instagram, TikTok and YouTube were evaluated using summarizing qualitative content analysis. Data collection took place between October and November 2024.</p> Results <p>Four categories were identified that shaped the exchange on social media. These included psychological and physical stress, criticism of healthcare, social impact and coping with endometriosis.</p> Conclusions <p>Endometriosis remains stigmatised as a “women’s disease”, which makes recognition and prioritization in the healthcare system difficult. The reduction to menstruation-related complaints hinders the treatment of endometriosis-related symptoms, while pejorative communication by doctors increases the burden on those affected. While social media enables open dialogue and peer support, it also has potential to spread misinformation, influencing health decisions and fostering scepticism toward medical advice. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted public health response: destigmatising endometriosis through education, improving medical training, strengthening diagnostic pathways, and raising awareness in society.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Endometriosis– “Either way a tragedy”? A qualitative social media analysis of endometriosis perceptions in Germany

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月4日

查看全文
  • Till Neugebauer,
  • Valeria Schellenberg,
  • Alena Allak,
  • Siegrun Pardon,
  • Yüce Yilmaz-Aslan,
  • Sven Schiermeier,
  • Claudia Kiessling,
  • Sven Schmiedl,
  • Christoph Dockweiler,
  • Patrick Brzoska

摘要

Background

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in women of reproductive age. Those affected suffer from a variety of symptoms that can have a challenging impact on different areas of life. Social media such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube offer affected women a platform for sharing their condition and increasing its visibility. This study examines how endometriosis is communicated in the comment sections of such posts on social media in Germany in order to better understand the reality of the lives of those affected.

Methods

300 comments from Instagram, TikTok and YouTube were evaluated using summarizing qualitative content analysis. Data collection took place between October and November 2024.

Results

Four categories were identified that shaped the exchange on social media. These included psychological and physical stress, criticism of healthcare, social impact and coping with endometriosis.

Conclusions

Endometriosis remains stigmatised as a “women’s disease”, which makes recognition and prioritization in the healthcare system difficult. The reduction to menstruation-related complaints hinders the treatment of endometriosis-related symptoms, while pejorative communication by doctors increases the burden on those affected. While social media enables open dialogue and peer support, it also has potential to spread misinformation, influencing health decisions and fostering scepticism toward medical advice. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted public health response: destigmatising endometriosis through education, improving medical training, strengthening diagnostic pathways, and raising awareness in society.