New: the documentary F*ck Endo. More than just menstrual pain by Dutch visual anthropologist, photographer and documentary maker Wilke Geurds. Otherwise to what you might think, this documentary is not the result of a personal struggle with menstrual complaints. Geurds: ‘I do have a special interest in women’s rights topics. Via a podcast I learned about the existence of endometriosis. I was shocked by the impact this condition can have and started some research. There were so many women who wanted to cooperate! Out of thirty candidates who were willing to share their personals stories, I’ve selected four.’

‘Heavy menstrual pain is not normal and can be seen a sign that there is something wrong’

Rather surprising: Wilke Geurds (24) made the entire documentary (part of her master Visual Ethnography at Leiden University) on her own, without experience in all disciplines of filmmaking, like screenwriting, directing, editing etc. You can’t tell this by the result: an intimate and vulnerable documentary that follows the daily lives of four totally different women in the Netherlands and Belgium who suffer from endometriosis and adenomyosis. Geurds: ‘I have tried to understand what it’s like to live with an invisible disease that affects one in ten women. Heavy menstrual pain is not normal and can be seen a sign that there is something wrong, as in the case of Devina (28), Daphne (30), Margot (36) and Sanne (43). Nevertheless, loads of women lack diagnosis.’

In the film we follow the four women to work, sports lessons, hospital visits and in their homes. ‘At their homes, that invisible pain unfolded in front of my camera. Most people don’t see that pain, which can lead to misunderstanding. Together with animations, an interview with gynecologist Dana Huppelschoten and footage the women made themselves, I have tried to make this disease understandable and visual.’

Want to know where to watch F*ck Endo? Check Wilke Geurds’ website or follow her on Instagram. You can view the trailer here.

Also interesting:
Period Books
Period Movies
Period Podcasts
Period Playlist

Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our Contact page.