Lift the stigma: What Is Lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic medical condition that primarily affects women, characterized by bilateral, symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs, and sometimes the arms and lower trunk.

Looking for a place to start learning about Lipedema? Download our brochure, which features key questions and shows what to look for in diagnosing Lipedema.

Learn the Truth: Lipedema is not a rare disease, but underdiagnosed.

Lipedema is distinct from obesity and lymphedema, though it is often confused with both. Lipedema requires diagnosis in a medical office by a clinician (a “clinical diagnosis”), considering patient history, including family history, and a physical exam.

Visit our Clinician’s Hub for more on diagnosing and treating Lipedema.

Let’s Raise Lipedema Awareness Together

The best way for our community to spread awareness for Lipedema is to grow our outreach. Help us spread awareness this June by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media.

AWARENESS THROUGH Action

#DearDoctor Social Media Campaign

Join the conversation on social media as we hope to challenge the stereotypes surrounding Lipedema and educate the patient and healthcare provider communities. Use the hashtag #DearDoctor to raise Lipedema Awareness Together

Examples include:

  • Posting a hypothetical letter to one of your doctors, either giving positive sentiments to a doctor who helped you with your Lipedema, or educational sentiments to a doctor you wished had better understood or supported you on your medical journey.

  • A short note with #DearDoctor about overcoming challenges or simply navigating daily life with Lipedema.

  • A short video of you reading your letter and encouraging others to share their own.

Wear Purple

Purple is the official color for Lipedema awareness. Show your support by wearing purple throughout the month. Use the hashtag #LipedemaAwareness to spread the word.

2025 Lipedema Awareness Month Toolkit

How To Use the Toolkit:

Share this content with your own voice, thoughts, photos, or other content to help raise awareness about Lipedema! This selection of shareable images can be used on Facebook, Instagram, X and Pinterest. Click on any image below to download, save and share on social media.

Sharing images and templates:

  • You can download these images by clicking on the image, then right-clicking to download to add to your social media post.

  • NEW! Customize and share on social:

Use the hashtags #LipedemaAwareness and #DearDoctor

AWARENESS THROUGH PATIENT STORIES

1.) THE REAL WEIGHT OF LIPEDEMA: LIFTING STIGMA THROUGH STORIES

As part of Lipedema Awareness Month 2025, we’re spotlighting the voices that matter most — patients. In this powerful recorded panel, a group of women living with Lipedema share their personal stories, challenge common misconceptions, and speak directly to the stigma surrounding this misunderstood disease. Their lived experiences shine a light on the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, compassionate care, and greater public awareness.The full panel recording will be made available later this month, along with highlights across our social media channels. Follow us to be the first to watch and share these vital conversations.

2.) NEW PATIENT STORIES ON THE LIPEDEMA BLOG

In honor of Lipedema Awareness Month, we’re proud to share new patient stories that highlight the diverse experiences of people living with Lipedema. These stories reflect a wide range of journeys — from early-stage diagnoses to late-stage discoveries, from surgical to conservative treatment approaches, and more. We believe that representation matters. By expanding our Patient Stories collection, we hope that more people feel seen, heard, and validated in their own experiences. Each voice in this series adds depth to our understanding of Lipedema and helps shine a light on the emotional, physical, and systemic challenges patients face, as well as the strength, resilience, and advocacy that follow. Some stories are available now, and others will be released throughout the month, so be sure to check back and follow along. We hope these stories inspire greater awareness, compassion, and action!

Lipedema RESOURCES

  • Provider Directory.  The LF Provider Directories are designed to help people with Lipedema, their healthcare providers, and others identify professionals who have told us they treat and/or diagnose Lipedema in their clinical practice.

    • Diagnosing Clinician Directory: Now accepting submissions! Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Associates who are comfortable diagnosing, many of whom also provide conservative therapy for Lipedema. Sign up for the Provide Directory.

  • Lipedema Treatment Page. Explore LF’s Lipedema treatment page to find details on treatment options, care management and more.

  • 10 Things You Need to Know about Lipedema. As an underdiagnosed condition, this article will give you what you need to know about Lipedema.

  • Patient Self-Advocacy Guide. The Lipedema Foundation Patient Self-Advocacy Guide can help Lipedema patients in the United States navigate their healthcare journey.

  • Lipedema Foundation Registry. Sign up for the Lipedema Foundation Registry to help support scientific research. If you have already started your registry participation but have not yet completed the survey, we strongly encourage you to log back in and complete it so that we can utilize your data in our analyses.

  • Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema. This guide is designed to empower clinicians to feel more confident diagnosing Lipedema. Share this with your providers or medical teams by downloading and printing, or request copies be mailed to you.

  • Lipedema Brochure. Print out or request copies of the LF Brochure, which features key questions and shows what to look for in diagnosing lipedema. We encourage sharing brochures in your community, such as medical practices, gyms, massage studios, nail salons, and schools.

  • What You Need To Know About Lipedema Infographic. Our horizontal and vertical downloadable infographic includes key information related to presentation, common symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis challenges, common misdiagnoses, and treatment.