Vagina Museum reopens with endometriosis exhibition

The Vagina Museum is reopening with an exhibition about endometriosis.

The world's first museum of its kind was forced to close after being asked to leave its Victoria Park Square premises in Bethnal Green, east London, in February.

Having located a new home on nearby Poyser Street, it reopens on Saturday.

In the spring, the museum launched a crowdfunding appeal for a new premises, raising £85,000 within three weeks from more than 2,500 individuals.

The exhibition, Endometriosis: Into the Unknown, aims to educate people about the basics of endometriosis, as well as informing them about the latest research.

The museum says it will dispel myths and hear from women living with condition, in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus are found in other parts of the body.

It causes debilitating pain, especially during periods, and can affect women's chances of getting pregnant.

There is currently no definitive treatment but ways to ease the symptoms can include strong painkillers, hormonal contraceptive pills and surgery to cut away the overgrown uterus issue.

About 1.5m women are currently living with the condition, according to Endometriosis UK.

Florence Schechter, director of the Vagina Museum, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be opening our doors to the world once again. We love a big opening!

"The new Vagina Museum home is bigger and better than ever before.

"Raising awareness of endometriosis has been a common request from our community since the Vagina Museum project began, and we're thrilled to be teaming up with the Oxford research group to make this a reality."

The exhibition has been produced in collaboration with Oxford Endo Care, part of the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, and the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics.

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