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.

My Endo Journey

I just wanted to share a little bit of my story. Back in 2010 I remember going through so much pain. I had all sorts of tests done along with seeing two doctors. After a scope and colonoscopy, and even having one doctor tell me I didn’t have endometriosis, I was beginning to think I just had to deal with it. At the end of February 2011 I ended up in the hospital with some extreme pain on my side. After an ultrasound, it was determined I had a massive “chocolate” cyst that had ruptured. On March 10th, I followed up with the ER doctor. She did an exam and decided we needed to do exploratory surgery. A week later I went in for my surgery not knowing what would be found. I remember crying to my doctor, telling her I didn’t fear them finding anything. But instead, I feared them not finding a source to my pain. read more…

Endometriosis: Heather’s Story

Let me start by saying that I have always had VERY painful periods. Like most other Endo Sisters who have been kind enough to share their story, I thought this was normal. I would spend the first couple days of my period in so much pain, it was insane.

Heather - Endometriosis StoryI can remember as far back as my freshman year in high school (on a half day of school) and watching the clock, just waiting for the minute that I could go home and crawl into bed. There have been days that I had cramps so terrible, I had to miss school or work.

In August of 2012, I began to have extremely painful sex. I went to the emergency room a couple of nights later, because the pain would not stop. The E.R. doctor gave me a pelvic exam, tested me for STD’s and yeast infections (and accused my husband and I of not being committed). When all of the tests came back normal, she gave me a prescription to clear up a yeast infection she said probably didn’t show up on the test. I was then discharged.

A week later, I was still having the same symptoms, along with added back pain, pelvic pain, bloating and fatigue. So, I went to an urgent care facility, since my primary doctor was booked. I paid my insurance co-pay, was taken back to an empty room, met the doctor and gave my symptoms. I was not treated at all, I was told to go follow up with my primary doctor or go to the E.R. again. You can only imagine my frustration since I had just paid my insurance co-pay and didn’t get help. So, I went to my primary doctor (P.D.) two days later, and told them my symptoms. I was unable to see my actual doctor but got in with a P.A.

read more…

My Battle With Endometriosis

Hi! My name is Jennifer, I’m 30 years old & live in Mobile, AL.

Since March is endometriosis awareness month, I’d like to share my story with you about my battle with this disease. I hope that in sharing my story it will give others with the disease hope, & help raise awareness to those who may not know about or understand endo.

Jennifer ObertI have lived with endometriosis since I started having a period, although I didn’t get an “official” diagnosis until I was 21. I live in constant pain. Some days are better than others, but there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t hurt in some way. My periods are completely unpredictable, and absolutely ridiculous. Some months I may have a typical one week period & some I’ll bleed for 2-3 weeks out of the month. I think my worst one was a couple of years ago I bled for 4 months, yes months, straight. I feel like I’m always at my gyn’s office for one reason or another. I’ve tried just about every treatment option available at least twice, and they ultimately never work in my case. I have had 8 surgeries to try and help ease the pain, and they do, but for only a short period of time. When the pain returns, it’s often worse than it was before surgery. It is very defeating, and I won’t lie, I do have my “why me” moments.

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...