MORE THAN BLOOD: Self-Love and Acceptance in Endometriosis
MORE THAN BLOOD is an exploration of self-love, acceptance, and emotional healing in relation to endometriosis. Through visual communication, personal storytelling, and artistic expression, the project aims to raise awareness around the physical and psychological experiences connected to chronic menstrual pain and invisible illness. The outcome was presented through an exhibition combining illustratrated cards, printed materials, and digital visual elements designed to create empathy, conversation, and understanding.
In a society where women’s pain is often normalized, ignored, or hidden, it becomes important to create spaces where vulnerability and honesty can exist openly. MORE THAN BLOOD challenges the silence surrounding endometriosis by focusing not only on suffering, but also on healing, self-acceptance, and personal strength. The project highlights how visual communication can be used as a tool to create awareness, emotional connection, and a deeper understanding of living with an invisible condition.
By using illustrations, symbolic imagery, and emotional storytelling, I explored how invisible pain can affect identity, confidence, relationships, and everyday life. The visual language of the project was developed to communicate vulnerability and strength simultaneously, allowing the audience to emotionally connect with experiences that are frequently dismissed or unseen within society.
Women’s pain has historically been normalized or minimized, especially when connected to reproductive health. This creates feelings of loneliness and frustration for many individuals living with endometriosis. Through MORE THAN BLOOD I wanted to challenge these attitudes by creating visual communication that encourages empathy, understanding, and openness around women’s health issues.
During conversations connected to the project, several participants expressed how important it felt to finally see endometriosis represented visually in a personal and emotional way. Many shared experiences of feeling unheard within healthcare systems or misunderstood by people around them. These conversations became an important part of the process and strengthened the purpose of the project.
In a discussion during the exhibition one visitor commented:
“People often think pain is something women should simply tolerate, but they rarely understand how deeply it can affect everyday life and mental health.”
This reflection became central to the project. While awareness around endometriosis has increased in recent years, there is still a strong need for more emotional representation and public discussion surrounding invisible illnesses connected to women’s health.
The most important insight I gained throughout the project was the importance of visibility and community. Sharing experiences, listening to others, and creating visual spaces for vulnerability revealed how powerful design can be when connected to emotional and social issues. I realized that visual communication can function not only as information, but also as comfort, validation, and support.
Through MORE THAN BLOOD I hope to contribute to a more open conversation surrounding endometriosis, body acceptance, and self-love. I also hope the project can encourage people experiencing invisible illnesses to feel less alone in their experiences.
References
Endometriosis Foundation of America.
https://www.endofound.org/
World Health Organization. Endometriosis Fact Sheet.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis
As-Sanie, S., et al. 2019. Assessing Research Gaps and Unmet Needs in Endometriosis.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Other sources
Endometriosis UK
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/
1177 Vårdguiden
https://www.1177.se/
