Israeli Exhibition Highlights Endometriosis Pain to Raise Awareness and Reduce Diagnosis Delays
An exhibition titled "Visible" opened in early July on the third floor of Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv, featuring ten striking portraits of women living with endometriosis. Each portrait is accompanied by a semi-transparent image of the same woman curled in pain, symbolizing the invisible suffering that accompanies the disease. The exhibition aims to bring public attention to the chronic pain and challenges women with endometriosis face daily, often hidden from their surroundings and even medical professionals.
The exhibition was created by photographer Anat Kazula in collaboration with the Endometriosis Israel Association. Kazula herself was diagnosed at age 42 after years of severe pain, highlighting the common issue of delayed diagnosis. According to Tal Menachem, CEO of Endometriosis Israel and also a patient, the average diagnosis delay in Israel is 11 years, longer than in many developed countries. This delay results in prolonged suffering, missed opportunities in education and work, and strained relationships.
Endometriosis affects about 10% of women of reproductive age and involves uterine-like tissue growing outside the uterus, causing inflammation, cysts, and severe pain. The exhibition also includes women with adenomyosis, a related condition where similar tissue grows inside the uterine muscle. Both diseases are often called "invisible illnesses" because they lack external symptoms and are frequently misunderstood or dismissed as normal menstrual pain.
Among the featured women is journalist and TV host Dafna Lustig, who endured 30 years of pain before diagnosis, and musician and actress Alice Zano Mor, who waited a decade for answers. The youngest participant, model Adi Pins, was diagnosed in her teens and emphasizes the importance of understanding and support from others. Another participant, Kamar Pahmawi, who underwent a hysterectomy at 36, speaks about the difficulty of coping with an invisible illness.
The exhibition’s public location aims to reach women who may be unaware they have endometriosis, encouraging earlier diagnosis and treatment. QR codes next to each portrait link to personal stories, fostering community and awareness. The Endometriosis Israel Association, founded in 2019 and run by women with the disease, hopes the exhibition will validate sufferers’ experiences and promote better medical recognition and care. The exhibition runs through the end of July with free admission.
