A new campaign has launched this week to combat the dangerous misinformation about endometriosis that continues to circulate among Australian men—misinformation that reared its ugly head again with recent comments from radio host Marty Sheargold. To break through, leading endometriosis campaigner Kellie Johnson has recruited an unlikely but powerful ally: a male tradie.
Men listen to other men, and that’s exactly why Brett Hinton, whose partner Fernanda suffers from severe endometriosis pain, has stepped up as the face of this campaign. Fernanda experiences only seven good days each month—spending the rest battling excruciating pain, fatigue, and the daily toll of this misunderstood disease. Yet, like thousands of other women, she has been told by people—including her own father and a close friend—that she is faking it.
“Too many Aussie blokes think endometriosis is just a bad period or, worse, that women are making it up,” said Kellie. “The reality is, it’s a serious condition affecting 1 in 7 women (and those assigned female at birth), causing debilitating pain, inflammation, and, in many cases, infertility. It’s time men step up, listen, and understand what their partners, sisters, and loved ones are going through.”
Brett knows firsthand how much misinformation exists. “When I first started seeing my partner suffering, I had no idea what was going on or how to help,” he said. “It was a real eye-opener to learn about endo and how much it impacts her life. I want to be there for her, but it isn’t always easy to know how. If I can help other men understand what their partners are going through and show them that their support matters, then I’m happy to do my part.”
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing severe pain, inflammation, and sometimes infertility and other complications. Despite its prevalence, it takes an average of seven years to receive a diagnosis, and many women are dismissed or told their pain is ‘normal.’
When Kellie approached Brett to join the campaign, he quickly saw its importance. “As a guy, I know how frustrating it can be to feel like you can’t help,” he said. “We’d do anything to ease our partner’s pain—from buying heat packs and painkillers to running errands so she can rest. I loved that Kellie had a physical product that helps ease pain, but that wasn’t why she wanted me involved—she wanted me to speak to other blokes about being there for their partners in a way that goes beyond just managing pain. It’s about understanding, being supportive, and showing up when they need you most.”
Diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis at the age of 22, Kellie had suffered from debilitating pain since she was 12, relying on multiple traditional heat packs that were ineffective and often left her with burns or uncomfortable, awkward situations. After five miscarriages, Kellie launched Kosi just weeks before the birth of her miracle daughter, Lola, and quickly went viral on TikTok, selling out her patented 360° wraparound heat pack within days.
The brand has since gained massive popularity, with notable celebrity endorsements, a recent six-figure sales month, and a successful partnership with Jane Lu. Beyond providing comfort, each Kosi heat pack contributes directly to endometriosis research, with $1 from every sale going towards efforts to better understand and treat the condition.
