She Strengthens

Breaking the Silence: My Journey with Endometriosis

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been living with pain. It’s as if my body suddenly decided to malfunction, leaving me struggling to explain my symptoms to others. Despite my efforts, relatives, teachers, and doctors dismissed my pain, telling me it was normal and that I was exaggerating.

A Long and Frustrating Journey

It took a devastating incident – collapsing unconscious on my bathroom floor – for people to finally take my condition seriously. After five years of countless doctor visits and emergency room trips, I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 20. This diagnosis marked the beginning of my journey towards pain management and a better quality of life.

The Alarming Reality of Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women worldwide during their reproductive years. Yet, an extensive lack of awareness within the healthcare system means that many women, like myself, struggle to access proper treatment. Research reveals that it takes an average of 8 years to receive a proper diagnosis, largely due to the normalization of female pain.

Living with Endometriosis

My condition impacts my daily life significantly. There are months when I’m in pain more days than not, affecting my ability to work, eat, and exercise. Managing my endometriosis has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it has also taught me to love and appreciate my body.

Four Life-Changing Adjustments

To better manage my endometriosis, I’ve had to make significant adjustments:

• Remote Work: I strategically sought a job that allowed me to work from home, ensuring I can still be productive on days when I’m in severe pain.
• Prioritizing Sleep: I’ve learned to prioritize sleep, recognizing that I need more rest than average to thrive. This has ironically allowed me to be more productive and successful in my career.
• Adopting an Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Cutting out harmful foods and adopting a whole, plant-based diet has significantly improved my pain levels and overall quality of life.
• Being Cautious with Lifestyle Changes: I’ve learned to be careful when trying new things, recognizing that my body can’t accommodate certain exercises or lifestyle changes that might trigger severe endometriosis flare-ups.

A Call to Action

The lack of awareness and understanding surrounding pelvic pain and female reproductive health issues reveals a deep history of systematic sexism and gender bias within the healthcare system. I hope to use my story to bring awareness to these issues and advocate for more research and treatment options.