Endometriosis

  PERIOD PAIN IS NOT NORMAL. If you are experiencing pain beyond discomfort with your menstrual cycle we urge you to dive deeper into your health to find the cause. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and has the average diagnosis time of 7 years. The earlier the diagnosis the better! Start with the articles to the right, then check out the articles, stories of  endo, and free resources below.


   ARTICLES ON ENDOMETRIOSIS

Detox Your Period for Pain Relief

For many women, periods come with a host of discomforts: cramping, headaches, fear of leaks, back pain, and maybe even leg pain. As someone who was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful pelvic pain condition, in my teens, I have experienced countless painful periods and have been on the search for relief. 

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Just Diagnosed with (or Suspects) Endometriosis?

So, you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis (Or you suspect that you have it.) Now what? It can be so difficult to know where to go from here. We’re here to tell you: you’re not alone. There’s hope. You can (and will) live a happy, full life in spite of your illness. You are more than your pain.

Does a Hysterectomy Cure Endometriosis?

For me, having a hysterectomy is a very involved decision. It is not so simple just to take the uterus because I am unable to have a child after all of endometriosis’s damage.

When Period Pain ISN’T Normal

There is no doubt that as women, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. But what isn’t so amazing is the pain that can occur when our good friend Aunt Flo shows up in the form of our monthly period. Ladies of all ages, please take note that not all period pain is normal. I hope to provide a guide on when you urgently need to see your gynecologist, and also where you have the power to improve your cycle pain naturally, using diet and supplements.

Still On Road to Recovery Due to ENDO

By Shirley ShirleyI was diagnosed with endometriosis in October 2012, at the age of 45 after over 10-years of being diagnosed with poly-ovarian cysts. My last ultrasound in 2012 was identical to my ultrasound from 2007. Ultrasounds do not show endometriosis! I was fortunate and blessed because I did not have horrible pelvic pain for the last 15 plus years, even though I had cysts on both ovaries. I endured no pelvic pain on or off my periods during these years, but what I did have was flooding & large clots (larger than a half-dollar) while on my period. The first three days of my period may of included accidents even with the use of a super tampon every 30 minutes plus a night time maxi pad. I was anemic and lethargic. The last year prior to this diagnosis I had low-low back pain, uncomfortableness while lying down, and sciatic leg pain to the point of limping on my left leg. After my endometriosis diagnosis, I was informed that my only option was a total hysterectomy including the removal of my ovaries. I was very blessed and had two beautiful girls in my early twenties. read more…

Living With Endometriosis

Andrea HughfThe Beginning ………

Instead of feeling sorry for myself I have made the choice to raise awareness and support for Endometriosis.

This is an overview of my story so far………..

In my early teens I always suffered with heavy and painful periods and in the early days I believed that this was normal. I don’t know what was worse the pain or the bleeding.

At 14years old my mum took me to see the GP where he prescribed me pain killers which worked for a while but after a few months they weren’t making a difference and the pain was worse. I was constantly going back to GP where he would prescribe me different pain relief and also put me on the pill at 15yrs old, however, no matter what was tried each month I would suffer severe pain in my abdomen, side and right arm. Each month I would be in tears especially the first 2 days as they were the worse.

read more…

My Battle with Endometriosis: Diagnosed at just 22yrs old

I hope my story will be informational and helpful to all women who suffer from Endometriosis.

Since I first started my menstrual cycle at just 11yrs old, it was just awful. I had horribly heavy cycles and would get very sick and missed school because of it. My cycles were never on time and usually a week or more late. I lived with it because I was told that my heavy flow and everything was just heredity. Little did I know it was going to wind up being Endometriosis.

Endometriosis Ribbon ButtonI was diagnosed at 22yrs old with Endometriosis which was a year after I had my daughter who is my second child. I went into pre term labor at 28 wks and it was the scariest point in my life, but fortunately the doctors stopped the labor and I was put on all kinds of things so I could carry her to full term. Apparently, I already had endometriosis at that time and never knew it because I was so used to the painful menstrual cycles and pain in general.

Then one day I was in constant horrible pain on my right side specifically. After going to my regular doctor and ruling out UTI and Bladder infection she recommended I see my OB. That’s where the diagnosis that would change my life began.

read more…

    TOP RESOURCES

ENDOMETRIOSIS QUIZ

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the US and has an average diagnosis time of 7 years. How much do you know about the disorder?

HEALTHY PRODUCTS & LIFESTYLE SERIES

This weekly email series is designed to teach you everything you need to know about choosing healthier alternatives that reduce your risk of TSS.

ORGANIC PERIOD 2GO KITS

These fashionable period kits stuffed with organic tampons or natural pads were designed to keep ladies of all ages prepared with the healthiest options for their period while on the go!

REUSABLE MENSTRUAL CUPS

The revolutionary product improving women’s periods. The long list of benefits include: 12 hour protection, holds more than a super tampon, safer, better for the environment and the cost $avings!!

SHARE YOUR ENDO STORY

Join our featured EndoSisters by sharing your endo journey with with us. Let’s continue raising awareness together!

Detox Your Period for Pain Relief

By Arielle D. Dance, PhD Can Tampons Cause Cramps? Detox Your Period for Pain Relief For many women, periods come with a host of discomforts: cramping, headaches, fear of leaks, back pain, and maybe even leg pain. As someone who was diagnosed with endometriosis, a...

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Just Diagnosed with (or Suspects) Endometriosis?

So, you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis (Or you suspect that you have it.) Now what? It can be so difficult to know where to go from here. We’re here to tell you: you’re not alone. There’s hope. You can (and will) live a happy, full life in spite of your illness....

Misunderstood and Unsupported with Endometriosis

Last week, we talked about all of the ways that our network of endo warriors have felt supported or loved during their battle with the disorder. Today, we’re tackling the opposite question: what are some ways that you’ve felt misunderstood or unsupported? Often times,...

Endometriosis Support: What Are Some of the Ways That You’ve Felt Supported by Friends & Family?

Endometriosis is a difficult disorder to have to deal with – physically and emotionally. If you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with endo – they need you now more than ever. But even if you’re looking for ways to support them, sometimes it can be hard to know...

Does a Hysterectomy Cure Endometriosis?

by Dr. Sallie Sarrel   I’m 43 and I don’t want a hysterectomy. There has been much controversy over the claim in the media that a hysterectomy cures endometriosis. Hysterectomy, while it has a role in treatment of pelvic pain and uterine disorders, does not cure...

What Do You Wish Your Friends and Family Knew About Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a difficult disorder to have to deal with – physically and emotionally. If you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with endo – they need you now more than ever. But even if you’re looking for ways to support them, sometimes it can be hard to know...

How to be Your Own Health Advocate When You Suspect Endometriosis

by Heather Guidone Many facets of endometriosis continue to be hotly debated, and much is still unknown about the condition. As a result, access to quality care can prove difficult and the disease can be isolating, making it hard for affected individuals to advocate...

Why is Endometriosis So Difficult to Diagnose?

By Dr Pandelis AthanasiasEndometriosis is a painful disease which affects around 1 in 10 women, but reports have shown that it can take up to ten years to diagnose. Women with endometriosis typically experience very painful, heavy periods, pain during intimacy,...

When Period Pain ISN’T Normal

By Amy MorrisThere is no doubt that as women, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. But what isn’t so amazing is the pain that can occur when our good friend Aunt Flo shows up in the form of our monthly period. Ladies of all ages, please take note that not all...

Monthly Mission: Endometriosis Awareness

Your Period Shouldn’t Be PainfulMarch is Endometriosis Awareness Month. “Endo” is a painful disease that affects at least 176 million people worldwide. The Be Prepared Period team sends love and support to our many Endo sisters (and brothers!) experiencing the...