{
  "id": 18018913,
  "title": "Featured video: Changing the conversation about endometriosis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/featured-video-changing-the-conversation-about-endometriosis",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-03T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MIT News Research",
    "slug": "mit-news-research",
    "url": "https://news.mit.edu/2026/featured-video-changing-conversation-about-endometriosis-1103"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Endometriosis impacts over 265 million women globally, yet it remains one of the least understood and stigmatized conditions in modern medicine. A documentary called \"End of the Cycle,\" produced by The Endometriosis Collective, aims to change this narrative. Directed by Sammy Jaye and Soraya Simi, the film blends personal stories, cutting-edge science, historical insights, and cultural commentary to challenge long-held misconceptions. Featuring a diverse group of women living with the condition, including Amy Schumer, Brittany Brown, Janel Parrish, Fọlákẹ́ Olówòfóyèkù, Julianne Hough, and Sammy Jaye Lang, the documentary highlights their shared experiences of \"agony, isolation, and harmful.\"\n\nMarilyn Monroe, a 20th-century icon, also grappled with endometriosis until her death in 1962 at 36. While \"End of the Cycle\" portrays the suffering associated with the disease, it also showcases resilience, action, and hope. The film incorporates interviews with leading researchers and clinicians, like MIT Professor Linda Griffith, who brings both her scientific expertise and personal experience living with endometriosis to her work. Griffith's research at MIT is focused on understanding the basic processes of normal tissue regulation to better comprehend the more severe diseased tissue.\n\nTo mark Menstruation Science Day at MIT on September 30, over 250 attendees, including students, faculty, donors, entrepreneurs, and women's health leaders, gathered to watch the film screening. The event was moderated by Griffith, who facilitated a panel discussion with Sammy Jaye Lang, the filmmaker; Steve Palmer from Baylor College of Medicine; Eliezer Calo, an MIT professor of biology; Stephanie Morris, an obstetrician-gynecologist; and Aleshia Carlsen-Bryan, associate director of prehealth advising at MIT Health. The panelists discussed the current state of women's health innovation and the steps needed to accelerate progress in the field.",
  "summary": "Documentary shines a powerful light on a painful disease that affects 265 million women, highlights efforts at MIT’s Center for Gynepathology Research to study the disease and find treatments.",
  "key_points": [
    "Endometriosis affects 265 million women worldwide",
    "Documentary \"End of the Cycle\" aims to change perception",
    "Marilyn Monroe suffered from endometriosis"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}