Gendered Illnesses and Embodied Knowledge: A Phenomenological Body-Mapping Study of Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a chronic health condition primarily associated with women, is not just a physical experience but is an invisible, gendered illness deeply intertwined with societal narratives that often overlook women's embodied knowledge. This research employs body-mapping as a visual, verbal, and symbolic methodology to foreground embodied experiences and explore how social perceptions shape women's lived realities of endometriosis. Through an interpretive phenomenological analysis of six body maps, this research reveals conforming bodies, which internalize societal stigmas, resulting in disconnection from self and others, and resisting bodies, who actively challenge and transform oppressive narratives. The integration of visual, symbolic, and verbal expressions in body-mapping offers a nuanced understanding of how participants with endometriosis navigate the intersection of chronic illness and societal expectations. Our findings highlight the necessity of acknowledging and valuing embodied knowledge, emphasizing the importance of reflecting critically on the social narratives that shape the experiences of gendered illnesses.