F*CK That!
And what if those heavy periods and severe cramps aren’t normal, but actually signal something serious? For 1 in 10 women with endometriosis, this is reality. And shockingly, it can take an average of 7-10 years to get diagnosed.
Let that sink in for a moment.
A decade of suffering before someone finally says, “This isn’t normal, and you’re not imagining things.”
And when we say pain, we mean debilitating, life-stopping pain. We have a friend who spent 6 years curled up on her bathroom floor in agony every month during her period. Sex often ended in tears because of the pain. To say this is not normal, is the understatement of the year!
So what is Endometriosis?
Due to a lack of research and funding, endometriosis is not well understood. Endometriosis occurs when abnormal tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus as well as on, and sometimes into, other organs like the bladder, bowels, or ovaries.
What makes endometriosis particularly tricky is that it can affect your entire pelvic region and cause pain outside of your period. It can also cause infertility.
Here are common symptoms to watch for:
- Severe menstrual cramps that interfere with daily activities
- Abdominal and back pain during or in between periods
- Pain during or after intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination, especially during your period
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, bloating, diarrhea) that cycle with your period
Why is it so hard to diagnose?
Unfortunately, endometriosis is invisible to most tests – undetectable via blood work and tricky to find with imaging. And while providers are able to make a clinical diagnosis, many still consider surgery the only definitive way to diagnose and treat endometriosis.
Often when doctors can’t see or feel anything during routine exams, symptoms get dismissed as “normal” period pain. Combined with the ongoing issue of women’s pain being downplayed, many suffer for years before getting answers.
So, if you’re on the bathroom floor every month, supporting someone who is, or just want to learn more, we’ve curated the information below to help you take the next step toward getting the answers you deserve:
“We all need to lay on our doctor’s tables and say, I’m not leaving until you examine my vagina.” Just one great nugget in this conversation. Rachel’s doing some incredible work to help women with chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and endometriosis. LISTEN
Mayo Clinic’s, Dr. Megan Wasson, breaks down everything you need to know about endometriosis, from symptoms to the typical diagnostic process and treatment options. It’s a crash course to help you get a better understanding of this disease. LEARN
LMFAO! 😂😆🤣 This period cramp simulator video proves what we’ve known all along – women are basically superhuman and men are complete lightweights! LAUGH
Transform period shame to period power! Dr. Jen Gunter shares incredible evidence-based information about endometriosis, and so much more. From PCOS to why your periods hurt and when to worry – get real answers to all your period questions. A MUST READ
This ends now. Pain isn’t normal. You deserve better.
We hope that this information helps you or someone you love. And if there’s another topic you’d like us to cover, please email us and let us know.
See you next Thursday!
xoxo,
Mikelle & Michelle
